7140 CNB Hope is a Home - New Brunswick€¦ · Hope is a Home New Brunswick’s ... prerequisite...
Transcript of 7140 CNB Hope is a Home - New Brunswick€¦ · Hope is a Home New Brunswick’s ... prerequisite...
Hope is a HomeNew Brunswick’s Housing Strategy NewBrunswickHousingCorporation DepartmentofSocialDevelopment
Un foyer, c’est l’espoirStratégie de logement du Nouveau-Brunswick Sociétéd’habitationduNouveau-BrunswickMinistèredudéveloppementsocial
CNB7140CNB7140
Hope is a HomeNew Brunswick’s Housing Strategy New Brunswick Housing CorporationDepartment of Social Development
New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. ... ..1
2. Introduction. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. ... ..4
3. Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
. History. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... ..5
. Housing.Challenges... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. ... ..6
4. Housing Policy Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
. A.Vision.for.Housing... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. ... 16
. Guiding.Principles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. ... 18
. Strategic.Objectives.and.Key.Actions. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 20
. Evaluating.Outcomes.and.Implementing.the.Strategy.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 23.
5. Housing Initiatives Appendix “A” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6. Homelessness Framework: A Home For Everyone! Appendix “B” . . . . . . . 31
. Introduction. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 32
. Background . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 35
. Homelessness Strategies and Concepts in Canada . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 47
. Youth Homelessness Strategy Recommendations .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. ... 48
. New Brunswick Homelessness Framework. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 49
. Vision .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. ... 49
. Guiding.Principles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. ... 49
. Goals,.Key.Actions,.Indicators.of.Success.and.Outcomes.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. ... 49
. Implementation,.Monitoring.and.Evaluation. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 58
1
Message from the President
A.home.is.more.than.a.roof.over.one’s.head .It.is.more.than.just.shelter .A.home.is.a.foundation.from.which.we.establish.our.roots.and.contribute.to.our.communities .Our.homes.influence.our.sense.of.well-being,.our.sense.of.worth.and.our.ties.to.families,.communities.and.work
The.importance.of.having.a.safe.and.comfortable.place.to.call.home.was.clearly.recognized.during.the.ground-breaking.public.engagement.exercise.to.reduce.poverty.in.our.Province .
Providing.affordable.and.safe.housing.is.more.than.just.good.social.policy ..It.is.good.education.policy,.good.health.care.policy,.good.economic.policy.and.good.community.development.policy .That.is.why.the.poverty.reduction.plan,.Overcoming.Poverty.Together,.the.New.Brunswick.Economic.and.Social.Inclusion.Plan,.includes.a.commitment.to.developing.a.comprehensive.housing.strategy.and.a.homelessness.framework
Hope.is.a.Home,.our.five-year.affordable.housing.strategy,.is.one.of.the.primary.means.envisaged.to..reduce.poverty .The.strategy.recognizes.the.need.to.build.new.units.of.affordable.housing,.create.mixed-income.neighbourhoods,.revitalize.old.neighbourhoods.and.repair.and.renovate.older.housing.stock
We.want.New.Brunswickers.to.have.hope:.for.themselves.and.their.children,.for.a.better.future.and.a.better.life .Home.is.where.everything.begins,.including.hope
James.Hughes
President.New.Brunswick.Housing.Corporation.
1 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Executive Summary
Housing.is.fundamental.to.the.economic,.social.and.physical.well-being.of.New.Brunswick.residents.and.communities ..Housing.is.a.basic.human.need,.and.is.the.central.place.from.which.we.build.our.lives,.nurture.ourselves.and.our.children.and.engage.in.our.communities ..At.the.same.time.housing.is.the.fundamental.building.block.of.healthy,.inclusive,.sustainable.communities ..Most.households.are.able.to.choose.housing.that.is.affordable.and.suitable.to.their.needs ..For.those.in.housing.need,.the.province.works.with.other.levels.of.government,.as.well.as.non-profit.and.private.housing.providers.making.various.types.of.housing.programs.possible ..
The.starting.point.for.the..Housing.Strategy.for.the.province.is.the.recognition.that.“housing”.is.more.than.just.shelter ..Providing.housing.that.is.safe.and.affordable.is.more.than.just.good.social.policy:
•. It.is.good.education.policy
•. It.is.good.health.care.policy
•. It.is.good.economic.policy
•. It.is.good.community.development.policy
It.is.clear.that.government.is.committed.and.recognizes.the.link.between.good.housing,.self-sufficiency.and.poverty.reduction ..It.is.the.vision.of.the.New.Brunswick.Housing.Corporation.(NBHC).that:
All New Brunswickers have access to safe and affordable homes as a prerequisite for economic and social inclusion. In.support.of.government’s.commitment.that.all.New.Brunswickers.have.the.necessary.resources.to.meet.their.basic.needs,.the.Board.of.Directors.of.NBHC.was.revised.to.include.six.deputy.ministers.of.key.provincial.departments ..This.change.provides.for.a.broader.perspective.when.considering.program.development.and/or.policy.changes.and.establishes.formal.linkages.between.departments.with.the.view.of.maximizing.the.impact.of.housing.on.other.social.and.economic.objectives,.specifically.within.the.context.of.the.poverty.reduction.agenda ..Engaging.the.private.and.non-profit.sectors.will.also.assist.in.developing.housing.initiatives.that.are.better.targeted.and.achieve.greater.efficiencies
In.developing.the.strategy,.NBHC.looked.at.the.continuum.of.housing.need.from.homelessness.to.the.need.for.affordable.rental.housing.and.homeownership ..The.primary.focus.is.ensuring.New.Brunswick’s.most.vulnerable.citizens.have.improved.access.to.housing.assistance
In.support.of.NBHC’s.vision,.future.programs.and.policy.changes.will.be.developed.within.the.following.principles:
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•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.be.coordinated.and.consistent.with.other.public.policy.to.ensure.maximum.efficiency.and.effectiveness.in.the.use.of.limited.resources
•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.promote.economic.and.social.inclusion,.personal.accountability,.and.individual.choice
•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.include.benefits.which.promote.transition.to.the.extent.possible
•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.be.responsive.and.flexible.to.the.varying.specific.needs.of.vulnerable.individuals.and.households.and.to.the.broader.needs.arising.from.changing.demographics
•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.help.communities.meet.local.needs.and.priorities
•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.recognize.the.shared.responsibility.of.all.levels.of.government,.individuals,.communities.and.the.housing.industry.for.good.safe.housing.outcomes
•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.support.the.strengths.of.the.private,.public,.and.non-profit.sectors.in.meeting.the.needs.of.low-income.New.Brunswickers
•. Housing.policy.and.programs.must.be.flexible
The.following.strategic.objectives.have.been.established.to.assist.in.achieving.the.intended.outcomes.for.housing.programs:
•. Reduce.core.housing.need.in.New.Brunswick.by.10%.over.the.next.five.years.from.the.10 3%.identified.in.the.2006.Housing.Census.(Stats.Canada)
•. Reduce.chronic.homelessness.in.New.Brunswick.significantly.over.the.next.five.years
•. Improve.the.Energy.Efficiency.of.housing.occupied.by.low.income.households
•. Ensure.the.transparent.and.effective.delivery.of.provincial.housing.programs
Each.strategic.objective.is.accompanied.with.a.series.of.key.actions..designed.to.accomplish.the.intended.goal
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Over.the.next.five.years,.the.New.Brunswick.Housing.Corporation.will.focus.its.activities.on.supporting.the.overall.goal.of.moving.the.province.to.self-sufficiency.and.overcoming.poverty ..Specifically.the.NBHC.will.invest.in:
•. Making.quality.housing.more.affordable
•. Ensuring.the.sustainability.of.government.assisted.housing
•. Increasing.rural.housing.opportunities
•. Creating.homeownership.opportunities
•. Strengthening.housing.supports
•. Supporting.government’s.commitment.to.energy.efficiency
•. Accessibility.for.persons.with.disabilities
Changes.in.existing.program.policies.as.well.as.new.program.initiatives.will.be.developed.to.assist.with.the.continuum.of.housing.and.support.services.needed.to.address.housing.challenges.in.the.province .
This.document.is.a.framework.for.better.understanding.complex.and.interrelated.housing.issues ..It.is.intended.to.help.identify.the.gaps.in.the.system.and.how.we.can.work.together.to.fill.those.gaps ..The.supporting.actions.will.form.the.basis.for.a.more.integrated.response.that.deals.with.housing.and.communities.more.holistically ..
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Introduction
Government’s.goal.to.achieve.self-sufficiency.by.2026.will.require.fundamental.social.and.economic.changes ..While.many.programs.and.initiatives.exist.that.provide.assistance.to.people.in.need,.the.province.requires.a.more.comprehensive.approach.to.social.development
In.October.2008.the.provincial.government.launched.a.public.engagement.initiative.to.adopt.a.poverty.reduction.plan.for.New.Brunswick ..A.public.engagement.approach.was.adopted.in.recognition.of.the.fact.that.successfully.reducing.poverty.in.New.Brunswick.is.the.shared.responsibility.of.every.citizen.of.New.Brunswick ..The.public.engagement.initiative.was.divided.into.three.interconnected.phases,.a.public.dialogue.phase.(wide.public.input),.the.round.table.phase.(development.of.options.to.reduce.poverty).and.the.final.forum.phase.(adoption.of.a.poverty.reduction.plan) ..The.final.forum.took.place.in.November.2009.and.agreed.on.the.essential.elements.of.New.Brunswick’s.first.poverty.reduction.plan ....
It.is.the.vision.of.the.Poverty.Reduction.Plan.that:
“Through.the.collaboration.of.governments,.business.and.non.profit.sectors,.people.living.in.poverty.and.individual.citizens,.all.men,.women,.and.children.in.New.Brunswick.shall.have.the.necessary.resources.to.meet.their.basic.needs.and.to.live.with.dignity,.security.and.good.health ..Furthermore.all.New.Brunswickers.shall.be.included.as.full.citizens.through.opportunities.for.employment,.personal.development.and.community.engagement ”
It.is.the.global.objective.of.the.Poverty.Reduction.Plan.that:
By.2015.New.Brunswick.will.have.reduced.income.poverty.by.25%.and.deep.income.poverty.by.50%.and.will.have.made.significant.progress.in.achieving.sustained.economic.and.social.inclusion
The.World.Bank.Organization.describes.poverty.in.this.way:.
“Poverty.is.hunger ..Poverty.is.lack.of.shelter ..Poverty.is.being.sick.and.not.being.able.to.see.a.doctor ..Poverty.is.not.having.access.to.school.and.not.knowing.how.to.read ..Poverty.is.not.having.a.job,.is.fear.for.the.future,.living.one.day.at.a.time ”
When.we,.our.neighbours,.or.our.families.don’t.have.enough.money.for.the.very.basics,.like.food,.shelter.and.clothing,.we.are.all.affected .Although.all.sectors.of.society.have.a.role.to.play.in.reducing.poverty,.government.is.committed.to.and.recognizes.the.link.between.good.housing.and.poverty.reduction ..Developing.a.comprehensive.housing.strategy.that.enables.mixed.income.neighbourhoods,.affordability,.and.supportive.housing.options.is.one.of.the.priority.actions.identified.in.support.of.the.poverty.reduction.plan ..Housing.can.be.used.to.create.jobs,.to.develop.skills,.and.it.can.affect.energy.consumption.and.create.investment.opportunities ..Shelter.is.as.fundamental.as.food.and.clothing.but.cannot.be.viewed.as.an.end.in.and.of.itself ..As.such,.housing.must.be.placed.within.the.foundation.of.effective.social.and.economic.policy ..A.home.must.be.seen.as.a.support.to.help.people.
4 5 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
achieve.self-sufficiency.for.themselves,.and.an.opportunity.to.provide.a.safe.and.nurturing.environment.for.their.children ..It.is.the.focus.of.family.life,.where.families.live,.raise.children,.build.relationships.and.care.for.parents ..The.New.Brunswick.Housing.Corporation.must.ensure.that.housing.policy.intersects.social.and.economic.policy.where.and.when.it.makes.the.most.sense ..Traditional.social.housing.policy.has.focused.almost.exclusively.on.finding.solutions.to.affordability.and.reducing.the.number.of.people.in.core.housing.need ..While.these.are.still.very.much.a.focus.of.housing.policy,.government.must.also.consider.how.housing.policy.can.contribute.to.the.broader.social.and.economic.policy.objectives.to.ensure.that.the.Provinces’.vision.of.reducing.poverty.in.New.Brunswick.is.met
Background
History
The.Province.of.New.Brunswick.entered.the.housing.field.in.1967.with.the.establishment.of.the.New.Brunswick.Housing.Act ..Initially.housing.was.involved.with.the.delivery.and.administration.of.the.Public.Housing.Program.(family.&.senior.rental.units.owned.and.operated.by.the.Province)
In.the.1970s.the.Province.amended.the.New.Brunswick.Housing.Act.to.provide.loans.and.other.homeownership.related.programs
In.1986,.a.new.era.of.federal/provincial.co-operation.began.with.the.development.of.the.Global.and.Operating.Housing.Agreements ..The.original.objective.of.these.arrangements.was.to.allow.the.provinces.to.deliver.and.cost-share.nationally.designed.programs.within.their.jurisdictions ..
In.1989,.the.Province’s.housing.strategy.placed.more.emphasis.on.provincial.priorities ..This.focus.resulted.in.the.development.of.a.number.of.new.housing.initiatives.such.as.the.Down.Payment.Assistance.Program.(currently.know.as.the.Homeownership.Assistance.Program),.the.Home.Completion.Loan.Program,.the.Provincial.Emergency.Repair.Program,.the.Provincial.Rent.Supplement.Program,.the.Home.Orientation.and.Management.Program,.and.the.Community.Involvement.Program .
Commencing.in.1989.the.federal.government.gradually.withdrew.from.the.funding.of.new.social.housing.activity.and.in.1993,.the.federal.government.announced.their.intention.to.place.a.$2.billion.cap.on.their.social.housing.budget.for.an.indefinite.period,.thus.terminating.the.F/P.agreements.signed.in.1986
Since.1994,.the.Province.of.New.Brunswick.has.signed.a.series.of.short-term.new.delivery.renovation.agreements.with.CMHC ..The.two-year.extension.to.the.latest.Housing.Renovation.Agreement.(RRAP).expires.on.March.31,.2011 ..
In.1997,.the.Federal/Provincial.Social.Housing.Agreement.was.signed.with.CMHC.effectively.transferring.the.responsibility.for.the.existing.social.housing.portfolio.to.the.Province.(except.on.reserve.housing) ..
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On.April.14.2003,.the.Province.of.New.Brunswick.signed.the.four-year.Affordable.Housing.Program.Agreement.with.CMHC ..The.objective.was.to.increase.the.supply.of.affordable.rental.units.for.low.and.moderate.income.households.throughout.New.Brunswick ..The.signing.of.phase.II.of.the.Affordable.Housing.Agreement.on.May.2,.2005.provided.for.a.three-year.extension
On.September.25,.2006,.the.2005-06.Annual.Financial.Report.of.the.Government.of.Canada.confirmed.the.availability.of.two.one-time.trust.funds ..An.Affordable.Housing.Trust.to.help.address.short-term.pressures.with.regard.to.the.supply.of.affordable.housing,.and.an.Off-Reserve.Aboriginal.Housing.Trust.to.help.provinces.to.address.short-term.housing.needs.for.Aboriginal.Canadians.living.off-reserve.were.established
In.May.2009,.the.Province.once.again.signed.an.agreement.for.the.extension.of.the.Affordable.Housing.initiative.that.also.included.economic.stimulus.measures.under.Canada’s.Economic.Action.Plan.to.improve.and.expand.the.social.housing.stock.in.New.Brunswick ..
Housing Challenges
For.some.New.Brunswickers,.having.the.necessary.resources.to.meet.their.basic.shelter.needs.is.a.daunting.task ..There.are.many.challenges.that.face.individuals.and.families.in.this.quest,.and.government’s.ability.to.assist.these.individuals.and.families.present.their.own.challenges ..The.demand.for.quality,.affordable.housing.for.low.and.moderate-income.households,.changing.demographics,.increasing.costs,.the.deteriorating.housing.stock,.and.the.increasing.demand.for.support.services.all.need.to.be.addressed.if.we.are.to.achieve.the.vision.of.self-sufficiency ..
Housing Need:
While.the.majority.of.New.Brunswick.households.are.considered.to.be.suitably.housed,.many.unfortunately.experience.housing.need,.meaning.that.they.live.in.housing.that.require.major.repair,.is.overcrowded.or.too.costly.in.comparison.to.their.annual.incomes .
The.latest.Statistics.Canada.census.figures.(2006).indicate.that.the.Province.of.New.Brunswick.has.29,400.households.in.core.housing.need ..Based.on.2006.statistics.New.Brunswick.has.the.second.lowest.percentage.of.households.in.core.housing.need.in.the.country ..Households.with.an.adequacy,.suitability.and/or.affordability.problem.are.considered.to.be.in.core.housing.need
Adequacy.is.defined.on.the.basis.of.the.need.for.major.repair.and/or.the.existence.of.basic.facilities ..A.dwelling.is.deemed.inadequate.if.it.does.not.have.such.things.as.an.indoor.toilet,.and.bath.or.shower.and/or.if.it.requires.major.repair.(heating,.electrical,.plumbing,.structural,.or.fire.safety) ..
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Suitability.criterion.is.a.measure.of.overcrowding.and.is.based.on.the.National.Occupancy.Standards ..These.standards.are.based.on.the.number.of.bedrooms.in.a.dwelling.and.the.age,.gender.and.relationship.of.household.members ..Other.suitability.factors.relate.to.whether.the.dwelling.is.suitable.to.a.specific.need,.such.as.accessibility.for.persons.with.disabilities
Affordability.is.measured.on.the.basis.of.gross.household.income.and.basic.shelter.costs,.which.include.rent/mortgage.(Principal,.interest.and.taxes).payments,.costs.of.heat,.electricity,.water,.sewage.disposal,.repairs.and.maintenance ..A.household.is.considered.to.have.an.affordability.problem.if.it.pays.more.than.30.percent.of.its.gross.income.for.shelter.costs
Affordability.is.the.major.housing.problem.in.New.Brunswick.(80%.of.households.in.need) ..However,.there.also.exists.a.tremendous.adequacy.problem.as.over.40%.of.households.in.need.reside.in.inadequate.dwellings ..New.Brunswick’s.high.level.of.adequacy.need.is.caused.by.four.factors:.the.age.of.New.Brunswick’s.housing.stock;.the.preponderance.of.homeownership.units.owned.by.low-income.households;.the.absence.of.province-wide.building.code.enforcement;.and.the.rural.nature.of.New.Brunswick
8 9Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
On.average,.20%.of.the.total.family.rental.portfolio.and.13%.of.the.senior.rental.portfolio.will.turn.over.in.a.given.year,.yet.the.rental.waiting.list.remains.above.4,000 ..Currently,.approximately.1,175.seniors,.1,644.families,.95.disabled.households.and,.1,323.non-elderly.singles.are.on.our.rental..waiting.lists .
Changing Demographics:
New.Brunswick.has.experienced.significant.social.and.demographic.changes.over.the.last.40.years
Families.are.getting.smaller ..In.1961,.most.families.consisted.of.two.parents.and.two.or.three.children,.and.families.of.four.or.five.children.were.still.common ..Today,.most.families.have.one.or.two.children.and.families.with.three.or.four.children.are.considered.to.be.large
As.well,.families.are.getting.smaller.because.more.seniors.live.in.their.own.homes ..In.1961,.almost.60%.of.seniors.lived.with.their.son.or.daughter ..Today,.only.5%.of.seniors.live.with.one.of.their.children.and.the.option.of.seniors.living.with.children.has.reduced.significantly.as.the.migration.of.their.children.from.New.Brunswick.continues
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Divorce.was.nearly.non-existent.in.the.1960s,.and.those.families.that.did.have.one.parent.were.usually.led.by.a.mother.who.was.a.widow ..Today.divorce.is.much.more.common.and.teenagers.are.less.likely.to.get.married.as.a.result.of.pregnancy ..Further,.these.teenagers.are.more.likely.to.raise.their.children.rather.than.give.them.up.for.adoption
There.are.still.too.many.poor.children,.but.there.has.been.progress ..Most.poor.children.live.in.two-parent.families,.but.more.than.half.of.single-parent.families.are.poor
Over.the.last.10.years,.the..New.Brunswick.population.has.decreased.by.1 2% ..In.1996,.the.population.was.738,135 ..By.2006,.the.population.had.declined.to.729,400 ..While.the.overall.population.declined,.the.number.of.individuals.65.years.of.age.and.over.increased.by.15 6%,.from.93,180.in.1996.to.107,705.in.2006 ..During.this.same.period,.the.number.of.children.0-14.years.of.age.decreased.by.18 3%,.from.144,630.in.1996.to.118,110.in.2006,.resulting.in.an.increase.in.median.age.from.35 5.in.1996.to.41 5.in.2006 ..In.contrast,.the.Aboriginal.population.in.New.Brunswick.has.seen.a.steady.increase,.from.16,990.in.2001.to.17,655,.with.a.median.age.of.31 5.in.2006
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There.has.also.been.a.shift.in.where.the.New.Brunswick.population.resides ..Populations.in.urban.areas.surrounding.Moncton,.Saint.John,.Fredericton,.Bathurst,.Campbellton,.Edmundston.and.Miramichi.have.seen.a.9 2%.increase.in.population.from.1996.to.2006,.while.the.remaining.rural.areas.of.New.Brunswick.have.seen.a.significant.decline.of.14 4%.over.this.same.period .
Changing Economic Circumstances:
The.economic.circumstances.of.individuals.and.families.have.also.seen.significant.changes.over.the.last.40.years
Household.income.nearly.doubled.in.the.20.years.between.1961.and.1981,.but.grew.less.than.8%.in.the.1980s.and.90s .In.fact,.in.2006,.household.income.actually.declined.in.constant..(real).dollars
Average.weekly.wages.increased.steadily.until.they.peaked.in.1981 .However,.workers.lost.ground.during.the.80s.and.90s .Today,.average.weekly.wages.are.higher.than.they.were.in.2001.and.are.beginning.to.move.closer.to.when.the.average.weekly.wages.peaked.in.1981
10 11 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Despite.increases,.minimum.wage.has.also.lost.ground ..In.1961.minimum.wage.was.65.cents.an.hour.for.men.and.60.cents.an.hour.for.women ..By.1981,.minimum.wage.had.increased.to.$3 35.an.hour.and.by.2001.to.$5 90 ..However,.when.these.wage.rates.are.converted.to.constant.year.2002.dollars,.we.see.that.minimum.wage.has.increased.by.less.than.$2.an.hour.since.1961,.and.in.fact,.has.declined.by.more.than.a.dollar.over.the.past.20.years .
It.is.anticipated.that.the.current.economic.recession.will.increase.the.number.of.people.on.our.social.housing.waiting.lists .
Homelessness
The.homeless.problem.in.New.Brunswick.is.significant,.although.it.is.not.as.visible.as.in.other.jurisdictions ..Compared.to.major.urban.centers.elsewhere,.we.do.not.have.a.lot.of.individuals.sleeping.on.the.street.(although.we.certainly.have.some) ..The.term.visible.homeless.refers.to.those.individuals.or.families.who,.because.of.a.lack.of.secured.housing,.live.on.the.street.for.a.predominant.period.of.time.over.the.course.of.year(s) .These.individuals.might.access.some.services.from.time.to.time,.but.will.use.available.shelter.facilities.only.in.exceptional.circumstances.(ex .a.very.cold.night) ..Many.individuals,.living.on.the.street.have.challenges.forming.long-term.connections.to.services.because.of.personal.life.issues.or.unsuccessful.histories.with.the.“system” ..
In.contrast.emergency.shelters/transitional.housing.that.provide.services.to.the.“sheltered.homeless”.in.the.province.(those.individuals/families.who.stay.temporarily).are.operating.over.capacity ..Those.accessing.shelters.may.be.one.or.two-time.users.while.others.may.access.shelters.multiple.times.through.the.year,.but.may.not.be.able.or.ready.to.form.the.long-term.connections.necessary.to.move.to.stable.housing
In.New.Brunswick.we.have.a.lot.of.individuals/families.who.can.be.defined.as.the.“hidden.homeless”.and.the.“at.risk.homeless” .The.“hidden.homeless”.are.those.people.that.are.continuously.moving.among.temporary.housing.arrangements.provided.by.strangers,.friends.or.family.or.who.find.abandoned.buildings.to.sleep.in .The.“at.risk.homeless”.include.individuals.or.families.who.are.at.imminent.risk.of.eviction.from.their.current.housing,.who.pay.too.high.a.proportion.of.their.income.for.housing,.or.who.live.in.unacceptable.housing .Pursuant.to.its.commitment.under.Overcoming.Poverty.Together,.the.provincial.government.enacted.amendments.to.the.Residential.Tenancies.Act.that.became.law..in.April.2010,.providing.roomers.and.boarders.the.same.protection.and.obligations.as.a.tenant.of.an.apartment .The.landlord.is.obligated.to.maintain.the.premises.in.a.good.state.of.repair.and.comply.with.all.health,.safety.and.building.standards .Termination.of.tenancy.must.be.
12 13Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
justifiable .The.risk.of.homelessness.also.includes.those.who.will.be.discharged.from.the.criminal.justice.system,.those.who.are.leaving.a.health.facility.after.an.extended.stay,.and.youth.exiting.the.child.welfare.system.and.who.do.not.have.suitable.housing.in.place.prior.to.their.discharge
The.homeless.men.and.women.of.New.Brunswick.are.a.diverse.group.with.many.different.problems,.thereby.requiring.different.solutions ..They.are.comprised.of:
•. Youth
•. Single.unemployed.persons
•. Persons.with.physical.and.mental.disabilities
•. Seniors
•. Some.who.have.recently.experienced.family.breakdown.or.bereavement
Most.do.not.have.just.a.housing.problem.but.face.other.challenges.such.as:
•. Mental.illness
•. Family.abuse
•. Additions.to.alcohol,.drugs.and.gambling
•. Insufficient.income.to.live.in.adequate.and.affordable.housing
People.become.homeless.for.a.wide.variety.of.reasons .The.vast.majority.of.youth.who.are.homeless.were.abused.in.the.home.(sexual,.physical.or.emotional).or.simply.felt.neglected ..Youth.who.become.involved.in.street.life.at.an.early.age.tend.to.have.more.serious.problems.and.less.support.than.those.who.become.homeless.as.older.adolescents ..The.complex.issue.of.homeless.youth.has.no.simple.solution ..However,.potential.strategies.must.be.developed.both.to.meet.the.needs.of.young.people.who.are.already.on.the.street.and.to.prevent.other.distressed.youth.from.becoming.homeless
Although.social.housing.is.a.crucial.link.in.addressing.homelessness,.many.other.government.departments.and.agencies.that.provide.supports.to.homeless.people.must.be.involved.in.order.to.develop.an.integrated.solution.to.address.this.problem ..By.working.with.communities,.the.province,.the.private.and.not-for-profit.sectors,.homeless.individuals.and.families.will.be.able.to.access.a.range.of.services.and.programs.that.they.need.to.move.towards.self-sufficiency ..Client.centered.case.management.is.also.an.essential.component.in.eliminating.homelessness ..A.case.management.approach.will.provide.for.a.collaborative.process.of.assessment,.planning.and.facilitation.for.options.and.services.to.address.all.the.challenges.an.individual.or.family.must.deal.with.in.order.to.overcome.homelessness ..This.approach.will.provide.for.a.one.on.one.intervention.with.proper.supports .
12 13 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Homelessness.is.clearly.a.tragic.situation.for.the.individual ..The.longer.people.are.street.homeless,.the.more.homelessness.becomes.an.entrenched.way.of.life ..With.collective.will.and.adequate.resources.(increase.supportive.housing,.mental.health.&.addiction.services,.job.opportunities).homelessness.in.New.Brunswick.could.be.eradicated ..NBHC.is.to.address.the.issue.of.the.right.to.housing.for.our.most.vulnerable.citizens.and.whether.or.not.it.should.be.entrenched.in.government.legislation ..NBHC.is.also.actively.pursuing.a.collaboration.agreement.with.the.federal.government.to.become.an.active.partner.in.the.decision.making.process.pertaining.to.the.delivery.of.the.Federal.Homelessness.Partnering.Strategy.(HPS) ..
Aboriginal Housing Need
There.are.approximately.13,000.Aboriginal.households.living.off-reserve.in.New.Brunswick ..The.Aboriginal.population.is.growing.at.a.faster.rate.and.is.increasingly.younger.than.the.overall.population.in.New.Brunswick ..Future.housing.formation.and.housing.demand.among.Aboriginal.households.may.be.more.characterized.by.housing.types.appealing.to.younger.age.cohorts.(e g .rental.accommodations.and.first-time.home.buyers).and.less.by.the.need.of.housing.choices.typically.sought.by.the.older.age.cohorts.(e g .seniors.housing) ..Aboriginal.people.living.in.largely.non-Aboriginal.communities.have.relatively.low.incomes.which.affects.their.access.to.affordable,.adequate.and.suitable.housing ..For.the.majority.of.non-reserve.Aboriginal.households,.affordability.is.the.primary.housing.difficulty ..
There.continues.to.be.a.disparity.between.the.housing.conditions.of.Aboriginal.versus.non-Aboriginal.households ..Aboriginal.people.are.almost.four.times.as.likely.as.non-Aboriginal.people.to.live.in.a.crowded.dwelling ..They.are.three.times.as.likely.to.live.in.a.dwelling.in.need.of.major.repairs ..A.limited.supply.of.affordable.housing.constrains.many.Aboriginal.people.with.low-incomes.to.living.in.temporary.housing.situations.with.family.or.friends,.often.resulting.in.frequent.moves.from.one.temporary.housing.situation.to.another,.placing.them.at.risk.of.homelessness ..Aboriginal.women.are.more.likely.to.live.in.lone-parent.households,.relative.to.non-Aboriginal.females.and.are.more.likely.to.be.in.core.housing.need .
Housing.priorities.for.Aboriginal.households.living.off-reserve.should.include:
1 . Increasing.supply.and.access.to.affordable.housing
2 . Improving.the.adequacy.of.housing
3 . Contributing.to.the.prevention.and.reduction.of.homelessness
4 . Increasing.opportunities.for.homeownership
Housing.approaches.must.recognize.the.distinct.needs.of.the.off-reserve.Aboriginal.populations
14 15Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Financial Pressure on Existing Government Assisted Housing:
Overall.funding.for.housing.is.expected.to.decline,.yet.costs.associated.with.creating.new.units.and.maintaining.existing.units.continue.to.rise .The.majority.of.the.existing.social.housing.within.New.Brunswick.was.constructed.under.federal/provincial.cost-shared.agreements ..These.agreements.provided.funding.for.capital.costs,.ongoing.operations,.maintenance.and.modernization ..In.1997,.the.Province.of.New.Brunswick.signed.the.Social.Housing.Agreement,.effectively.transferring.the.responsibility.for.the.existing.social.housing.portfolio.to.the.Province ..While.the.Province.has.signed.some.more.recent.but.shorter-term.agreements.with.the.federal.government.to.create.new.units,.the.majority.of.the.current.federal.contribution.annually.is.tied.to.the.Social.Housing.Agreement ..Under.this.agreement,.no.provisions.were.made.for.funding.the.ongoing.operation.of.these.facilities.and.federal.funding.declines.to.$0.by.the.year.2034.as.project.mortgages.or.debentures.expire ..New.Brunswick,.along.with.the.other.Provinces.and.Territories,.will.continue.to.petition.the.federal.government.to.maintain.their.current.level.of.investment.in.social.housing.so.that.“savings”.generated.as.mortgages.and.debentures.mature,.can.be.re-invested.in.social.housing
Programs.targeted.at.preservation.and.renovation.of.homes.and.rental.units,.such.as.the.Residential.Rehabilitation.Assistance.Program,.have.become.an.effective.mechanism.to.bring.inadequate.dwellings.up.to.health.and.safety.standards ..Further,.increasing.the.physical.infrastructure.of.housing.units.owned.by.private.and.non-profit.organizations,.such.as.those.developed.through.the.Affordable.Housing.Programs.or.the.Housing.Trust.Funds,.and.funding.for.community.groups.to.help.alleviate.homelessness,.are.also.vital.to.ensuring.a.sufficient.response.to.the.growing.need.for.adequate,.suitable.and.affordable.housing.options ..Although.the.federal.government.has.committed.to.extend.housing.funding.beyond.March.31,.2010.there.remains.no.commitment.by.the.federal.government.for.a.long.term.national.housing.strategy
Deteriorating Housing Condition:
New.Brunswick.has.some.of.the.oldest.housing.in.the.country ..The.majority.of.the.public.housing.owned.and.managed.by.the.Housing.Corporation.was.constructed.over.40.years.ago ..The.age.of.this.housing.combined.with.the.limited.availability.of.repair.dollars.over.the.years.has.resulted.in.the.deterioration.of.this.housing.stock ..The.state.of.repair.of.some.units.is.substandard.to.a.point.where.the.health.and.safety.of.their.residents.are.a.concern .This.is.especially.true.with.the.rural.housing.stock,.where.some.units.remain.vacant.because.of.their.condition ..Clients.struggle.to.pay.their.utility.bill.because.these.old.units.are.not.energy.efficient.and.are.costly.to.maintain ..Many.units.were.designed.for.larger.families..and.no.longer.meet.the.need.of.our.changing.demographic ..Subsequently,.some.clients.may.be.in.the.position.of.having.to.heat.units.that.are.larger.than.they.require.given.the.size.of.their.household .Although.the.province.received.substantial.investments.to.improve.the.existing.social.housing.stock.under.Canada’s.Economic.Action.Plan.in.2009/2010.and.2010/2011.this.one-time.investment.pertains.to.only.those.projects/units.that.are.under.existing.agreements.with.the.Government.of.Canada ..While.this.funding.is.certainly.beneficial,.it.does.not.address.the.long.term.needs.of.maintaining.an.acceptable.quality.of.life.for.the.residents
14 15 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
New.Brunswick’s.population.is.getting.older.and.the.number.of.people.living.alone.is.growing ..With.this.increased.number.comes.an.increase.in.the.number.of.seniors.who.live.on.their.own.who.are.not.able.to.meet.some.of.their.daily.needs,.and/or.need.monitoring.and.easy.access.to.assistance.should.it.be.required ..Many.are.not.candidates.for,.nor.do.they.wish.to.go.to.a.nursing.home,.special.care.home.or.community.residence,.but.require.modifications.to.the.physical.structure.of.their.home.or.are.in.need.of.support.services,.such.as.help.with.meals.and.laundry,.to.allow.them.to.remain.physically.and.emotionally.secure.in.their.own.home.and.community .
While.governments.can.implement.policies.to.ensure.that.the.private.market.functions.in.a.manner.which.effectively.provides.housing.to.the.majority.of.New.Brunswickers,.they.must.also.consider.the.needs.of.those.not.served.by.the.private.market ..Social.housing.is.housing.of.last.resort.and.housing.for.the.hard.to.house .Generally.speaking,.the.private.market.has.not.targeted.this.group.nor.does.there.seem.to.be.a.reasonable.financial.incentive.to.do.so ..Further,.there.is.concern.about.how.economic.growth.can.negatively.impact.the.availability.of.affordable.housing.options ..A.demand.market.may.help.in.the.sense.that.landlords.may.invest.in.their.properties,.but.the.motivation.to.do.so.is.likely.linked.to.the.ability.to.then.increase.the.rent.for.these.units ..This.could.ultimately.result.in.the.reduction.of.truly.affordable.housing.options.for.those.with.low.incomes
Rising Energy Costs for Both Government and Client:
As.a.result.of.escalating.prices.for.fossil.fuels,.New.Brunswickers.will.continue.to.face.significant.increases.in.their.heating.costs ..In.the.2003.Statistics.Canada.Survey.of.Household.Spending,.the.energy.burden.of.households.in.New.Brunswick.earning.less.than.$15,000.was.the.second.highest.in.the.country,.at.15 4%.of.household.spending ..In.August.2006,.the.provincial.government.introduced.the.Energy.Efficiency.Retrofit.Program.to.improve.the.energy.efficiency.of.housing.occupied.by.low.income.households ..The.program.aims.to.provide.energy.savings,.reduce.energy.consumption.and.lessen.the.impact.of.energy.use.on.the.environment ..It.is.estimated.that.approximately.95,000.low.income.homeowner.and.rental.households.can.potentially.benefit.from.the.continuation.of.the.provincial.energy.retrofit.program ..It.is.important.to.develop.long.term.permanent.solutions.for.home.energy.affordability .
In.support.of.governments.Climate.Change.Action.Plan.NBHC.should.show.leadership.in.the.management.of.its.own.buildings ..Building.efficiency.standards.should.be.implemented.with.a.view.to.reducing.greenhouse.gas.emissions ..NBHC.should.also.help.other.building.owners.take.advantage.of.efficiency.opportunities,.including.efficiency.programs.and.promotion.of.appropriate.technology ..Housing.projects.developed.by.NBHC.should.be.consistent.with.sustainable.design.and.green.principles.and.should.therefore.incorporate.sustainable.building.practices.into.the.planning,.design.and.construction.of.these.facilities .
16 17Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
No Automated Housing Information Technology System:
Housing.is.in.need.of.an.automated.information.technology.system.to.effectively.support.and.align.housing.with.the.client-focused.program.approach.implemented.by.NBHC ..The.current.system.was.built.to.support.accounting.functions ..It.is.not.able.to.support.the.housing.programs.and.services.that.are.currently.offered ..It.is.not.flexible.and.is.difficult,.costly.and.labour.intensive.to.add/change.housing.programs ..Furthermore,.the.existing.system.either.does.not.contain.or.is.difficult.to.retrieve.pertinent.data.essential.in.making.sound.management.decisions ..It.is.paper.intensive,.information.is.duplicated.and.numerous.functions.are.managed.manually.outside.the.existing.system ..A.new.system.could.allow.a.correlation.of.families.in.need,.social.housing.available.by.region.and.social.housing.that.has.the.ability.to.be.re-configured.to.support.areas.that.are.not.being.addressed.or.addressed.adequately ..
The.ability.to.easily.and.directly.enter.data.and.access.information.on.such.things.as.client.demographics.and.waiting.lists.would.enable.housing.to.better.plan.for.the.future ..Although.NBHC.has.recently.purchased.an.asset.management.system.to.assist.in.maintaining.an.aging.housing.stock.(properties.owned.and.managed.by.the.Province).it’s.full.potential.is.not.being.realized.because.it.is.not.linked.to.an.integrated.housing.information.system
A.new.technology.system.is.required.if.NBHC.is.to.provide.for.better.housing.outcomes.that.can.support.economic.and.social.inclusion
Housing Policy Framework
A Vision for Housing
Government-assisted.housing.is.housing.for.low-income.families.or.individuals.who.cannot.afford.adequate.and.suitable.shelter ..It.is.also.housing.of.last.resort.and.housing.for.the.hard-to-house ..However,.unlike.other.social.programs,.government-assisted.housing.is.not.an.entitlement ..Subsequently,.there.are.individuals.and.families.in.need.of.housing.assistance.such.as.those.on.the.waiting.lists.and.those.in.core.housing.need.who.are.not.being.served ..Therefore,.Government.must.ensure.that.its.housing.policy.maximizes.the.contribution.that.government.assisted.housing.can.have.on.Government’s.overall.social.policy
But.it.is.also.important.to.recognize.that.developing.our.housing.infrastructure.and.providing.housing.that.is.safe.and.affordable.is.more.than.just.good.social.policy .
•. It.is.good.education.policy
•. It.is.good.health.care.policy .
•. It.is.good.economic.policy
•. It.is.good.community.development.policy .
16 17 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Beyond.being.a.basic.necessity.of.life,.housing.is.a.building.block.for.stable.lives.so.children.can.get.a.proper.education .Stable.housing.is.a.strong.contributor.to.crime.prevention.and.school.achievement
Housing.circumstances.affect.the.physical.and.mental.health.of.individuals.and.families ..Structural.deficiencies.and.overcrowding.can.be.linked.to.high.rates.of.injury,.disease.and.mental.health.problems ..Indoor.environmental.hazards.associated.with.poor.quality.housing,.such.as.mold.and.moisture.can.cause.or.exacerbate.respiratory.problems,.particularly.in.children
Housing.positively.impacts.labour.force.attachment.and.is.vital.to.community.revitalization ..The.housing.sector.stimulates.economic.growth,.provides.employment,.creates.investment.opportunities.and.can.affect.energy.consumption
Housing.contributes.to.the.strength.and.cohesion.within.a.community.and.provides.a.base.which.is.often.a.prerequisite.for.access.to.many.other.services.that.people.need,.such.as.Home.Care
Housing.fosters.inclusiveness ..Without.suitable.shelter,.the.ability.to.benefit.from.government.and.community.based.services.is.limited.and.participation.becomes.secondary.to.the.more.immediate.need.of.finding.shelter ..Strategies.targeted.at.providing.assistance.to.elderly.individuals.allowing.them.to.stay.in.their.own.home,.allowing.children.to.thrive.and.achieve.their.full.learning.potential,.or.assisting.individuals.in.making.the.transition.to.work,.are.all.compromised.if.the.individuals.who.could.benefit.most.from.these.initiatives.do.not.have.suitable.shelter
It.is.the.Vision.of.the.New.Brunswick.Housing.Corporation.that:
All New Brunswickers have access to safe and affordable homes as a prerequisite for economic and social inclusion. To.meet.today’s.challenges.the.province.must.look.at.a.more.comprehensive,.integrative.approach.in.addressing.New.Brunswick’s.housing.needs ..For.those.in.housing.need,.the.province.works.with.other.levels.of.government,.as.well.as.non-profit.and.private.housing.providers.making.various.types.of.housing.programs.possible ..The.future.direction.of.housing.should.create.healthy.sustainable.communities,.promote.and.maintain.affordable.housing.units.and.provide.a.range.of.support.services.to.assist.households.in.finding.and.keeping.housing ..In.support.of.this.new.direction.for.housing.it.may.be.beneficial.to.develop.legislation.that.will.set.the.stage.to.address.issues.such.as,.energy.requirements,.developer.requirements,.universal.design.standards.and.green.requirements
The.Province.of.New.Brunswick.has.begun.the.process.of.developing.a.Provincial.Planning.Policy.as.a.means.to.promote.and.guide.sustainable.development.throughout.the.province ..The.policy.will.appear.in.the.form.of.a.regulation.under.the.Community.Planning.Act.and.would.identify.areas.of.development.activity.in.which.there.is.a.provincial.interest,.and.refer.to.any.associated.provincial.legislated.requirements ..All.regional.and.local.plans.would.be.required.to.reflect.these.interests .A.Provincial.Planning.Policy.is.intended.to.reflect.the.
18 19Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
complex.inter-relationships.among.economic,.environmental.and.social.factors ..The.intent.is.that.policy.would.address.issues.that.affect.New.Brunswick’s.communities,.such.as:
•. the.efficient.use.and.management.of.land.and.infrastructure;
•. environmental.protection,.and.resource.management.;.and
•. consideration.of.all.available.housing.development.opportunities
Housing.is.an.integral.part.of.the.long.term.prosperity.and.well.being.of.communities ..To.assist.the.corporation.in.realizing.its.vision.it.is.important.the.Provincial.Planning.Policy.incorporates.housing.policy.statements.such.as:
•. the.range.of.housing.types.and.densities.for.current.and.future.residents;
•. minimum.targets.for.the.provision.of.housing.which.is.affordable.to.low.and.moderate.income.households.(mixed.income);
•. facilitating.all.forms.of.housing.required.to.meet.the.social,.health.and.well.being.requirements.of.current.and.future.residents.including.special.needs.requirements;..and
•. directing.the.development.of.new.housing.toward.locations.where.appropriate.levels.of.infrastructure.and.public.service.facilities.are.or.will.be.available.to.support.current.and.future.needs
Including.housing.policy.statements.in.the.Provincial.Planning.Policy.will.assist.NBHC.in.developing.sustainable.inclusive.(mixed.income).neighbourhoods ..It.will.also.facilitate.a.positive.environment.to.foster.affordable.housing.development.that.promotes.green.principles.and.provides.access.to.supportive.housing.services ....
Guiding Principles
A.housing.policy.which.supports.this.vision.and.responds.to.the.challenges.must.be.developed.within.the.following.principles:.
Housing policies and programs must be coordinated and consistent with other public policies to ensure the maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the use of limited resources.
It.is.imperative.that.the.allocation.of.housing.services.be.coordinated.with.other.social.services.to.prevent.duplication.and.maximize.efficiency.and.effectiveness ..Housing.circumstances.are,.more.often.than.not,.a.symptom.of.other.social.or.economic.issues ..Housing.services.must.be.provided.in.a.manner.which.recognizes.a.clients.overall.well-being.and.be.delivered.in.a.manner.which.facilitates.the.most.positive.overall.response .
18 19 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Housing policies and programs must promote social inclusion, economic self-sufficiency, personal accountability, and individual choice.
Housing.programs.and.services.should.facilitate.independence.through.the.encouragement.of.personal.and.household.self-management ..Households.who.are.able.to.live.independently.within.the.community,.provided.they.have.access.to.certain.supports,.should.be.provided.with.choice.and.flexibility.to.enable.improvements.to.their.own.well.being.and.quality.of.life ..
Housing policy and programs must include benefits which promote transition to the extent possible.
Opportunities.for.employment.is.a.major.component.of.New.Brunswick’s.Economic.and.Social.Inclusion.Plan ..Government’s.Transition.to.Work.Project.aims.at.developing.better.methods.of.assessing.applicants.with.potential.for.employment.and.those.requiring.long.term.income.support ..The.intent.of.the.recently.announced.initiative.to.reform.social.assistance.is.to.provide.enhancements.to.existing.programs.as.well.as.new.active.programming.for.clients.faced.with.having.to.consider.social.assistance,.transitioning.to.employment.and/or.progressing.on.their.career.development.plan.while.receiving.income.support ..Safe.and.affordable.housing.plays.a.major.role.in.providing.the.support.for.all.New.Brunswickers.to.be.included.as.full.citizens ..Housing.programs.must.be.designed.or.enhanced.to.encourage.and.support.career.development.and.transition.to.employment ..
Housing policy and programs must be responsive to the varying specific needs of vulnerable individuals and households and to the broader needs arising from changing demographics.
Different.households.require.different.levels.of.support,.including.financial.supports.to.assist.individuals.in.attaining.rental.units,.supports.that.help.seniors.remain.independent.in.their.homes.and,.supports.that.help.families.purchase.their.own.homes
Housing policy and programs must help communities meet local needs and priorities.
Housing.policy.must.facilitate.capacity.and.partnership.development.within.and.between.stakeholders.and.communities.and.support.the.development.of.local.capacity.through.the.delivery.of.housing.initiatives.that.are.responsive.to.community.needs .
Housing policy and programs must recognize the shared responsibility of all levels of government, individuals, communities and the housing industry for good safe housing outcomes.
The.responsibility.and.accountability.for.the.type.of.society.we.live.in.must.be.shared.by.all.those.who.participate ..The.most.appropriate.and.sustainable.way.of.addressing.the.housing.needs.of.low-income.New.Brunswick.is.to.recognize.the.responsibilities.of.all.
20 21Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
stakeholders.and.to.facilitate.their.input,.particularly.the.non-profit.and.private.sectors,.in.order.to..maximize.the.contributions.that.these.stakeholders.can.make
Housing policy and programs must support the strengths of the private, public, and non-profit sectors in meeting the needs of low-income New Brunswickers.
Governments.across.Canada.are.struggling.with.inadequate.funding ..While.the.province.may.be.in.the.best.position.to.set.housing.policy.and.regulate.performance,.the.expertise.offered.by.the.private.and.non-profit.sectors.can.result.in.programs.that.are.better.targeted.and.achieve.greater.efficiencies
Strategic Objectives
Over.the.next.five.years.the.NBHC.will.focus.its.activities.on.supporting.the.overall.goal.of.moving.the.province.towards.social.and.economic.inclusion .Subject.to.on-going.economic.conditions.(i e .employment.growth.and.energy.prices).within.the.province.and.the.availability.of.federal.funding,.the.NBHC.will:
Reduce core housing need in New Brunswick by 10% over the next five years from the 10.3% identified in the 2006 Housing Census (Stats Canada)
Key Actions:
Increase and Preserve Affordable Housing
.• Negotiate.renewal.of.Affordable.Housing.Agreement.with.the.Government.of.Canada
.• Negotiate.renewal.of.Housing.Renovation.Agreement.with.the.Government.of.Canada
.• Pursue.a.sustainable.source.of.funding.(i e .housing.trust.fund)
.• Introduce.portable.housing.allowances.within.the.next.five.years
.• Increase.homeownership.options.for.individuals.and.families.within.the.next.five.years
.• Review.Housing.Income.Limits.to.align.with.social.assistance.reform.(sliding.income.scale)
.• Improve.access.to.affordable.housing.options.for.persons.with.disabilities
.• Improve.access.to.affordable.housing.options.for.Aboriginal.households.living.off-reserve
.• Increase.the.number.of.affordable.housing.units.by.repairing.existing.substandard.rental.units.and.providing.rental.subsidies.(rent.supplements).where.situations.warrant..
.• Continue.to.deliver.rent.supplements.to.make.quality.housing.affordable.for.low-income.families,.individuals.and.persons.with.disabilities
.• Provide.opportunities.for.asset.building.for.clients.looking.to.transition.from.subsidized.housing
20 21 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
.• Increase.partnerships.with.private.sector,.municipalities,.non-profit.associations,.Aboriginal.organizations.and.other.stakeholders.to.develop.innovative.solutions.to.housing.challenges.and.expand.the.stock.of.affordable.housing
.• Protect.and.improve.the.condition.of.existing.government.owned.units.through.repair.and.renovation
Increase Self-Sufficiency and Develop Healthy, Inclusive Communities.
.• Develop.policy.for.mixed.income.communities.(Stakeholder.sub-committee.to.review.and.make.recommendations)
.• Increase.the.availability.of.housing.options.for.seniors.who.require.assistance.to.remain.living.independently ..(Additional.details.regarding.the.current.and.future.needs.of.seniors.can.be.found.in.New.Brunswick’s.Long-Term.Care.Strategy )
.• Ensure.that.housing.support.services.enable.seniors.and.persons.with.disabilities.to.continue.to.live.independently.within.their.home.and.community
.• Increase.access.to.affordable.housing.options.in.both.rural.and.urban.areas.of.New.Brunswick.(homeowner.and.rental)
.• Improve.housing.conditions.and.security.of.tenure.for.roomers.and.boarders
.• Adopt.universal.design.standards.to.accommodate.persons.with.disabilities.and.the.elderly.(Stakeholder.sub-committee.to.review.and.make.recommendations)
.• Client.focused.delivery.approach
.• Increase.access.to.supports.which.promote.good.household.management.practices
.• Align.housing.policy.with.government’s.broader.social.and.economic.policy.objectives.to.provide.better.outcomes.for.clients
Reduce Chronic homelessness in New Brunswick significantly over the next five years.
Key Actions:
.• Provide.continuum.of.housing.that.is.affordable,.supportive.and.adequately.resourced
.• Develop.a.model.for.the.allocation.of.stable.funding.for.operating.costs.to.shelter.providers
.• Ensure.that.decisions.pertaining.to.the.allocation.of.human.and.financial.resources.in.the.provision.of.services.to.people.who.are.homeless.or.who.are.at-risk.of.becoming.homeless.are.based.on.high.quality,.current.and.pertinent.information
.• Reduce.stigmas.around.homelessness.issues.including.mental.health.and.addictions.by.raising.awareness.within.government.and.throughout.the.community
.• Secure.and.provide.outreach.services.to.engage.the.homeless.population
.• Improve.coordination.of.services.across.government.departments.and.community.social.agencies
22 23Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Improve the energy efficiency of housing occupied by low income households.
Key Actions:
.• Offer.renovation.and.retrofit.programs.that.result.in.higher.energy.efficient.government.assisted.housing
.• Ensure.housing.projects.developed.by.NBHC.are.constructed.and.operated.consistent.with.sustainable.design.and.green.principles.identified.in.New.Brunswick’s.Green.Building.Policy ..Such.projects.need.to.incorporate.sustainable.building.practices.into.the.planning,.design.and.construction
.• Implement.minimum.energy.efficiency.standards.for.both.new.private.housing.projects.receiving.provincial.funding.and.new.NBHC..owned.housing.projects.
.• Reduce.energy.consumption.and.the.impact.of.energy.use.on.the.environment.on.NBHC.owned.properties
Ensure the transparent and effective delivery of provincial housing programs
Key Actions:
.• Modernize..the.New.Brunswick..Housing.Act
.• Develop.a.new.information.technology.system.as.a.platform.for.the.integration.of.services.for.low.income.people
.• Develop.an.asset.management.system
.• Produce.an.annual.report.for.NBHC.containing.outcome.based.data.including.core.housing.need.and.chronic.homelessness.statistics
.• Maximize.the.effectiveness.of.housing.programs.by.coordinating.housing.policies.with.other.social.and.economic.development.policies.between.and.within.governments.
.• Maintain.a.vibrant.Board.of.Directors.for.the.NBHC.with.the.view.of.breaking.down.silos.within.government.and.establishing.linkages.between.departments.with.the.view.of.maximizing.the.impact.of.housing.on.other.social.and.economic.policy.objectives,.specifically.within.the.context.of.the.self-sufficiency.agenda
.• Support.the.on-going.participation.of.the.Housing.Renewal.Stakeholder.Committee.to.strengthen.and.formalize.the.existing.partnership.with.all.housing.stakeholders.to.ensure.a.strong,.proactive.housing.corporation.that.addresses.housing.needs.in.both.rural.and.urban.New.Brunswick ..Engage.clients,.the.private.sector,.municipalities,.communities,.non-profit.associations.and.other.stakeholders.to.identify.community.revitalization.opportunities.that.incorporate.the.concepts.of.mixed.income,.mixed.use.communities.which.include.private.market.units.as.well.as.government.assisted.housing
.• Focus.the.existing.government.assisted.housing.stock.on.those.most.in.need.of.housing..
.• Ensure.existing.resources.are.maximized.to.increase.the.number.of.households.that.can.benefit.from.program.initiatives
22 23 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Evaluating Outcomes
It.is.important.to.measure.NBHC’s.performance.in.achieving.the.objectives.set.out.in.the.housing.strategy ..Outcomes.are.the.direct.impact.on.the.local.community.resulting.from.the.implementation.of.key.actions ..Indicators.are.required.in.order.to.quantify.outcomes .They.will.enable.NBHC.to.better.understand.and.evaluate.progress.in.the.housing.system.in.achieving.the.objectives.of.the.housing.strategy ..The.following.indicators.will.be.used.as.tools.to.help.measure.the.progress.towards.achieving.our.objectives:
.• The.number.of.New.Brunswickers.who.do.not.have.access.to.affordable,.suitable.and.adequate.housing
.• The.number.of.New.Brunswickers.who.are.chronically.homeless
.• Energy.consumption.and.the.impact.of.energy.use.on.the.environment
An.annual.operational.plan.will.be.developed.to.meet.the.key.actions.identified.in.the.strategy.and.secondly.communicate.the.vision.and.direction.of.NBHC ..Key.deliverables.for.each.action.will.be.specified ..A.report.on.the.key.actions.will.be.prepared.at.the.end.of.each.year ..Targets.will.be.developed.for.each.outcome.to.better.support.reporting.on.success.in.achieving.outcomes ..The.attached.Appendix.“A”.identifies.new/enhanced.housing.initiatives.as.well.as.existing.program.initiatives
Implementing the Strategy
The.housing.strategy.outlined.in.the.preceding.sections.outlines.priorities.of.focus.for.NBHC.that.supports.the.government’s.agenda.to.reduce.poverty.and.achieve.self-sufficiency ..It.represents.a.framework.for.NBHC.to.consider.in.making.decisions.on.policies,.programs.and.services ..NBHC.should.promote.ongoing.processes.that.enable.partners.to.work.more.closely.together.to.better.identify.and.meet.common.objectives ..Partners.should.be.consistently.involved.in.policy.and.program.development ..This.promotes.more.effective.policies.and.programs.and.minimizes.the.potential.for.negative.outcomes ..Ongoing.communication.and.consultation.with.the.broader.community.is.important.to.ensure.that.actions.reflect.community.priorities.over.time ..A.successful.housing.strategy.should.be.socially.inclusive.with.an.array.of.housing.options.and.supports.and.are.more.responsive.to.and.supportive.of.broader.economic.and.social.development.goals
Appendix “A”
New/Enhanced Housing Initiatives
For.many.people.an.affordable.place.to.live.is.all.they.need ..Others.require.support.services.(supportive.housing).to.help.them.maintain.their.housing ..The.initiatives.identified.below.will.assist.with.the.continuum.of.housing.and.support.services.needed.to.address.housing.challenges.in.New.Brunswick
24 25Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
New Brunswick Affordable Housing Act
NBHC.intends.to.recommend.that.government.incorporate.the.vision,.principles.and.objectives.of.the.Housing.Strategy.through.the.creation.of.a.modernized.New.Brunswick.Affordable.Housing.Act ..The.Act.will.provide.guidance.for.the.delivery.of.affordable.housing.services.that.embody.the.concepts.of.social.inclusion,.economic.self-sufficiency,.personal.accountability.and.individual.choice ..The.legislation.will.enable.government,.in.conjunction.with.the.non-profit.community.and.private.entrepreneurs.to.deliver.services.that.respond.to.the.needs.of.vulnerable.New.Brunswickers.while.meeting.the.needs.of.communities.and.society ..The.Act.will.protect.current.levels.of.affordable.housing.and.provide.the.legislative.support.for.concepts.such.as.holistic.service.delivery,.universal.design,.energy.conservation.and.requirements.for.developers/contractors
Homeownership Assistance Program (program enhancements to assist households to transition from social housing to homeownership tenure)
Many.view.owning.a.home.as.a.big.step.to.a.better.life ..In.an.effort.to.improve.access.to.homeownership.for.working.families.transitioning.out.of.subsidized.housing.the.benefits.under.the.Homeownership.Assistance.program.should.be.enhanced ..Changes.in.the.program.should.include.increasing.the.amount.of.financing.provided.by.NBHC.and.adjusting.the.repayment.formula.to.allow.more.households.benefit.from.lower.interest.rates ..
Public Housing - Introduction of Mixed Income Projects
Mixed.income.developments.are.a.means.of.revitalizing.urban.areas.and.transforming.public.housing ..It.is.a.way.to.reverse.decades.of.socioeconomic.segregation ..Mixed.income.properties.can:
•. facilitate.the.re-establishment.of.effective.social.networks.and.social.capital.for.low.income.residents
•. lead.to.higher.levels.of.accountability.to.norms.and.rules.through.increased.informal.social.control.and.thus.to.increased.order.and.safety.for.all.residents
•. lead.other.families.to.adapt.more.socially.acceptable.and.constructive.behavior,.including.seeking.regular.work.
Where.there.is.a.shortage.of.suitable.land.available.for.development,.high.density.housing.should.be.explored.on.properties.currently.owned.by.NBHC ..Excess.land.owned.by.NBHC.should.also.be.made.available.for.development
24 25 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Affordable Rental Housing Program – Continuation
The.federal.government.has.announced.funding.will.be.available.for.the.extension.of.the.Canada-New.Brunswick.Affordable.Housing.Agreement ..This.program.has.been.invaluable.in.increasing.the.number.of.affordable.housing.units.for.seniors,.families,.non-elderly.singles,.disabled.households.and.persons.with.special.needs .Assistance.in.the.form.of.a.forgivable.loan.will.be.provided.to.reduce.the.capital.cost.for.eligible.units.within.a.project ..
Where.situations.warrant.rental.subsidies.may.be.provided.to.ensure.units.are.affordable.to.low.income.households ..The.assistance.is.based.upon.the.difference.between.an.agreed.upon.market.rent.and.the.rent.charged.to.the.tenant.based.on.30%.of.adjusted.household.income ..
Portable Housing Allowances
In.New.Brunswick,.a.household.is.in.core.housing.need.if.it.cannot.afford.to.pay.the.median.rent.for.alternative.local.housing.that.meets.quality.and.crowding.standards.for.less.than.30.per.cent.of.their.household.income ..A.housing.allowance.is.appealing.because.core.housing.need.in.New.Brunswick.results.primarily.from.lack.of.affordability.rather.than.poor.quality.housing ..Most.households.with.affordability.problems.are.renters ..NBHC.believes,.for.the.poorest.New.Brunswickers,.the.most.effective.long-term.strategy.is.the.development.of.community.housing ..Such.efforts.provide.communities.with.a.stable.base.of.affordable.housing,.the.cost.availability.of.which.does.not.vary.with.market.conditions ..Generally.it.is.believed.a.focus.on.specific.geographic.areas.or.buildings.through.rent.supplement.contracts.is.preferable.to.large.scale.portable.shelter.allowance.programs ..Portable.housing.allowances.can,.however,.be.useful.under.specific.circumstances.such.as.adults.with.disabilities.(physical,.intellectual,.mental),.or.persons.in.need.of.temporary.housing.support ..For.example,.social.assistance.recipients.who.have.recently.become.part.of.the.labour.force.and.may.require.the.continuation.of.housing.assistance.for.a.short.period.of.time ..Both.rent.supplements.and.housing.allowances.are.important.components.of.the.overall.“tool.kit”.that.is.needed.to.address.housing.needs.throughout.the.province
A.portable.housing.allowance.is.a.payment.made.by.government.directly.to.a.tenant.to.help.the.tenant.pay.for.their.rent ..Tenants.who.qualify.for.allowances.find.and.rent.units.in.the.same.way.they.do.now,.except.that.the.allowances.help.them.pay.the.rent ..Tenants.can.use.the.money.to.help.stay.where.they.are.or.to.move.to.another.unit.of.their.choice.in.the.private.market ..It.is.the.household’s.freedom.to.move.that.makes.the.housing.allowance.“portable”
Portable.housing.allowances.provide.several.benefits:
•. allow.tenants.a.wide.choice.of.where.to.live
•. achieves.income.mixing
26 27Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
•. use.the.existing.economical.housing.stock,.rather.than.newly.built.(and.therefore.expensive).housing
•. avoid.the.stigma.often.associated.with.social.housing
•. can.be.administered.at.low.cost
The.actual.design.of.the.program.will.need.to.include.the.ways.to.specify.the.number.of.eligible.households,.the.way.to.select.recipients.from.among.the.eligible.households,.and.the.subsidy.amount.to.pay.to.recipients ..A.given.total.budget.may.be.used.to.provide.a.shallow.subsidy.to.all.households.in.core.housing.need.or.to.provide.deeper.subsidies.for.a.smaller.number.of.recipients ..Although.most.other.jurisdictions.in.Canada.provide.partial.affordability.gap.programs,.NBHC’s.preference.is.to.provide.housing.allowances.that.would.lower.the.rent.payment.to.30%.of.income.for.all.recipients,.essentially.solving.core.housing.need.for.recipients.(similar.to.the.Rent.Supplement.Program) ..
Rent Supplements Designed to get Homeless People off the Street
This.initiative.would.provide.short.term.rental.assistance.to.individuals.who.have.the.ambition.and.desire.to.better.themselves ..The.intent.would.be.to.develop.a.plan.where.these.individuals.would.receive.Rent.Supplement.assistance.along.with.the.necessary.support.services.in.order.to.work.towards.being.self-sufficient.within.2-3.years ..
Stable Funding for Homeless Shelters
Providing.stable.funding.for.homeless.shelters.was.identified.as.a.priority.action.under.both.the.Poverty.Reduction.Plan.and.the.Homelessness.Framework ..The.intent.is.to.pursue.provisional.funding.to.assist.with.operational.costs.beginning.in.2010-11 ..Included.in.the.provisional.funding.will.be.an.amount.allocated.for.programming.dollars.geared.to.ending.chronic.homelessness ..The.goal.is.to.meet.with.emergency.shelter.providers.to.develop..a.long.term.formula.for.stable.funding.for.future.years
See.the.attached.Homelessness Framework (Appendix.“B”).for.further.details.regarding.actions.that.will.be.taken.within.the.next.five.(5).years.to.address.chronic.homelessness .
Homelessness Partnering Strategy Agreement
Since.the.inception.of.the.federal.homelessness.initiative.in.1999.(Supportive.Community.Partnership.Initiative.-.SCPI).currently.referred.to.as.the.Homelessness.Partnering.Strategy,.the.province.had.little.or.no.involvement.in.identifying.which.projects.were.worthy.of.receiving.financial.support ..The.delivery.and.the.decision.making.process.was.left.up.to.Human.Resources.and.Social.Development.Canada.(HRSDC) ..It.is.the.intention.of.the.Province.to.sign.a.Canada-New.Brunswick.Agreement.that.will.provide.the.opportunity.for.the.Province.to.be.directly.involved.in.the.decision.making.process ..It.will.also.allow.us.to.better.coordinate.existing.provincial.housing.programming.and.support.services.in.order.to.provide.a.more.holistic.approach.in.dealing.with.homelessness ....
26 27 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Crescent Valley Revitalization
Crescent.Valley.is.located.in.the.North.End.of.Saint.John .It.consists.of.three.social.housing.projects.with.a.combined.388.units ..Churchill.Boulevard,.22.four.unit.buildings.(88.units),.MacLaren.Boulevard,.50.four.unit.buildings.(200.units).and.Taylor.Avenue,.25.four.unit.buildings.(100.units) ..The.projects.were.constructed.between.1949.and.1953,.and.are.now.more.than.55.years.old ..
It.was.determined.that.due.to.the.cost.associated.with.bringing.the.Churchill.Boulevard.units.up.to.today’s.safety.codes.and.standards,.it.was.preferable.to.replace.the.88.units ..The.tenants.have.since.been.relocated.in.subsidized.housing.and.the.units.demolished
In.the.fall.of.2009,.Avide.Developments.presented.a.report.to.NBHC.providing.a.vision.and.a.long.term.concept.plan.(20.years).for.the.Crescent.Valley.community ..The.report.recommends.a.five-phased.approach.to.the.redevelopment.of.Crescent.Valley,.with.the.emphasis.being.on.sustainable.development,.proper.land.use,.environmental.sensitivity,.adequate.infrastructure,.and.social.and.economic.development
The.plan.proposes.to.address.the.issue.of.social.isolation.by.changing.Crescent.Valley.from.a.dedicated.social.housing.community.to.a.mixed.income.community.targeting.diverse.segments.of.the.population ..The.intent.is.to.increase.the.density.of.housing.while.ensuring.the.number.of.subsidized.units.does.not.exceed.30% ..The.number.of.subsidized.units.would.be.no.less.than.the.original.388.units.but.would.now.become.part.of.a.much.larger.diversified,.vibrant,.mixed.income.community ..The.plan.proposes.that.land.be.made.available.to.the.private.and.non-profit.sector.to.encourage.the.development.of.social,.private.and.co-op.housing.units ..
It.is.anticipated.NBHC.will.begin.replacing.the.88.units.that.were.demolished.in.Churchill.Boulevard.during.the.2010-2011.fiscal.year
Existing Program Initiatives
Rental Assistance Programs
Rental.assistance.addresses.the.housing.needs.in.the.form.of.subsidized.monthly.rent.payments.for.low.income.tenants ..Assistance.is.provided.to.those.living.in.the.publicly.owned.portfolio,.to.private.sector.landlords.(Rent.Supplements).or,.by.subsidizing.operating.loss.or.interest.on.Mortgages.for.community.based.non-profit/co-op.groups ..Currently.there.are.approximately.16,000.households.benefiting.from.various.rental.programs ..Of.this.total.the.province.owns.and.operates.5,215.units ..Statistics.Canada’s.2006.census.figures.indicate.there.are.currently.17,000.rental.households.in.New.Brunswick.in.need.of.housing.assistance .
28 29Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Rental.programs.offered.by.NBHC.include:
Non-Profit Program.–.Assists.non-profit.groups.to.address.the.housing.needs.of.low.income.households.within.their.communities .(5,010.senior.&.family.housing.units)
Public Housing Program.–.Provides.safe,.affordable.rental.accommodations.for.low.income.households.who.experience.difficulty.in.obtaining.adequate.and.affordable.private.sector.housing ..The.Province.of.New.Brunswick.owns.the.buildings.and.provides.the.property.management .(3,882.senior.&.family.housing.units)
Rent Supplement Program.–.subsidizes.private.sector.housing.to.low.income.New.Brunswickers.through.operating.agreements.with.owners.of.existing.rental.properties .(3,100.senior.&.family.housing.units)
Rural/Native and Basic Shelter Program.–.Addresses.the.lack.of.private.market.rental.housing.in.rural.areas.of.the.province ..These.units.are.typically.single.or.duplex.units.owned.and.managed.by.the.province .(860.family.units)
Affordable Rental Housing Program.-.Provides.assistance.to.private.entrepreneurs,.private.non-profit.corporations.and.co-operatives.for.the.construction,.acquisition.and.rehabilitation.of.rental.housing.projects ..Under.the.Affordable.Rental.Housing.Program.approximately.750.new.affordable.rental.housing.units.will.be.developed.under.our.current.agreement.with.the.Government.of.Canada.(expiry.date.March.31,.2011) ..Of.the.total.number.of.units.created,.500.will.be.targeted.to.low.income.households
Renovation Assistance Programs
Renovation.programs.allow.low.income.households.to.remain.in.their.own.homes;.are.cost.effective;.promote.self.sufficiency;.support.small.contractors.and.preserve.the.province’s.housing.stock ..Renovation.assistance.programs.provides.assistance.for.existing.substandard.housing.requiring.major.repairs.in.the.form.of.a.loan,.a.portion.of.which.may.be.forgiven,.to.homeowner.-.and.third.party.-.owned.low.rental.properties ..This.includes.modifications.for.disabled.persons.and.repairs.to.shelters.for.victims.of.family.violence.and.youth.to.improve.the.dwelling.to.an.acceptable.standard.of.health,.safety.and.security ...Currently.there.are.16,000.loans.under.administration ..Statistics.Canada’s.2006.census.figures.indicate.there.are.currently.12,300.homeowner.households.in.New.Brunswick.in.need.of.housing.assistance ..Programs.available.include:
Federal/Provincial Repair Program.–.Assists.low.income.homeowner.households.who.occupy.substandard.housing.requiring.major.repair.or.lacking.basic.facilities ..In.2010/11.it.is.anticipated.800.homeowner.households.will.receive.financial.assistance.to.bring.their.homes.up.to.an.acceptable.standard.of.health.and.safety
Federal/Provincial Repair Program for Disabled Persons.–.Provides.assistance.for.the.modifications.of.existing.homeowner.or.rental.units.to.improve.the.accessibility.of.the.dwelling.for.disabled.occupants ..In.2010/11.it.is.anticipated.100.disabled.households.will.be.provided.with.financial.assistance.to.improve.accessibility.of.the.dwelling.for.disabled.occupants
28 29 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Federal/Provincial Emergency Repair Program.–.Provides.financial.assistance.to.low.income.households.to.undertake.emergency.repairs.that.are.required.for.the.continued.safe.occupancy.of.their.homes ..In.2010/11.approximately.500.homeowners.will.receive.assistance
Social Assistance Emergency Repair Program.-.Provides.financial.assistance.to.social.assistance.recipients.(homeowners).to.undertake.emergency.repairs.that.are.required.for.the.continued.safe.occupancy.of.their.homes ..In.2010/11.approximately.620.homeowners.will.receive.assistance
Housing Adaptations for Senior Independence Program.–.Provides.assistance.for.minor.adaptations.for.low.income.seniors.who.have.difficulties.with.daily.living.activities.in.the.home ..For.2010/11,.20.low.income.seniors.will.receive.assistance
Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program.–.Assistance.is.provided.to.improve.the.energy.efficiency.of.housing.occupied.by.low.income.homeowners.and.owners.of.rental.properties.occupied.by.low.income.tenants ..In.2010/11.it.is.estimated.that.1,300.homeowner.and.rental.households.will.receive.assistance.in.order.to.improve.the.energy.efficiency.of.their.homes
Rental & Rooming House RRAP Program.–.Assistance.is.offered.to.private.sector.landlords.occupied.by.low.income.tenants.for.repairing.or.improving.the.property.to.an.acceptable.standard.of.health.and.safety.for.the.occupants ..In.2010/11,.70.units.occupied.by.low.income.tenants.will.receive.assistance
Shelter Enhancement Program.–.Provides.financial.assistance.to.sponsors.of.existing.shelters.for.victims.of.family.violence.or.youth.for.repairing.the.property.to.an.acceptable.standard.of.health,.safety.and.security.for.occupants.and/or.accessibility.modifications.for.persons.with.disabilities ..Funding.is.also.available.to.increase.the.number.of.emergency.shelters.or.second.stage.housing.units.available.to.women.and.youth.who.are.victims.of.family.violence ..In.2010/11,.40.units.will.receive.assistance
RRAP Conversion Program.–.Assistance.is.offered.to.convert.non-residential.properties.into.affordable.self-contained.rental.units.and/or.bed.units.to.be.occupied.by.low.income.households .For.2010/11,.10.units.will.receive.assistance
30 31Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Homeownership Assistance Programs
Homeownership Assistance Program.–.Provides.assistance.in.the.form.of.a.second.mortgage.and.an.interest.write-down.subsidy.based.on.income.to.modest.income.households.who.can.obtain.financing.such.that.when.combined.with.NBHC.funding.results.in.the.purchase.or.construction.of.a.modest.first.home ..In.2010/11.it.is.anticipated.that.45.households.will.benefit.from.the.program.this.year
Home Completion Loans Program.–.Provides.assistance.in.the.form.of.a.loan.and.an.interest.write-down.subsidy.based.on.income.to.low.and.modest.income.households.to.complete.their.partially.constructed.home ..In.2010/11,.five.households.will.receive.assistance
30 31 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
New Brunswick Homelessness Framework:A Home For Everyone
32 33Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
1.0 Introduction
The.intent.of.the.Homelessness.Framework.is.to.provide.the.Province.of.New.Brunswick.with.direction.on.future.actions.required.to.address.chronic.homelessness.over.the.next..five.years .
The.Framework.will.direct.the.New.Brunswick.government’s.actions.in.establishing.a.collaborative.agreement.with.the.federal.government.with.the.intent.that.the.provincial.government.becomes.a.major.contributor.in.setting.the.direction.to.end.chronic.homelessness.in.the.province .Furthermore,.the.Framework.will.assist.the.province.to.be.in.a.better.position.to.align.its.programs.and.services.with.those.of.the.federal.government.and.community.service.providers ..Presently,.Quebec.and.Ontario.are.the.only.provinces.that.have.established.collaborative.agreements.with.the.federal.government .
Homelessness.is.a.complex.issue;.as.a.result.government.departments.and.non-profit.groups.that.provide.services.and.supports.to.homeless.people.must.work.collaboratively.to.support.the.development.of.integrated.solutions ..This.Framework.will.guide.New.Brunswick.in.the.development.of.enhanced.programs.and.services.across.departments.to.reduce.chronic.homelessness.in.the.province ..
New.Brunswick.has.launched.a.public.engagement.process.to.develop.a.Poverty.Reduction.Plan.for.the.province ..The.process.was.led.jointly.by.the.government,.business.and.non-profit.community.sectors ..There.are.three.co-chairs.with.one.coming.from.each.sector ..This.is.a.new.model.of.involving.citizens.in.the.development.of.strategies.to.address.a.complex.public.issue ..The.Final.Forum.was.held.on.November.12.and.13,.2009 ..Immediate.reforms.for.social.assistance.include:.the.elimination.of.the.interim.rate,.extending.the.health.card.for.up.to.three.years.when.a.person.exits.social.assistance.and.the.household.income.policy.will.only.be.applied.to.social.assistance.recipients.who.are.in.a.spousal.relationship ..Others.also.of.particular.interest.to.the.Homelessness.Framework.include:.providing.stable.funding.for.homeless.shelters.within.five.years.and.protections.for.roomers.and.boarders.in.the.Residential.Tenancies.Act ....For.more.information,.please.refer.to.the.New.Brunswick.Government.web.page:.Developing.A.Poverty.Reduction.Plan.http://www gnb ca/0017/promos/0001/index
Given.that.the.Homelessness.Framework.is.intended.to.address.chronic.homelessness.for.all.New.Brunswickers,.regardless.of.their.age,.and.the.fact.that.youth.homelessness.has.been.identified.as.a.priority.by.several.Homelessness.Community.Groups1,.it.is.seen.as.beneficial.to.incorporate.the.recommendations.of.the.Youth.Homelessness.Strategy.as.developed.to.date.and.include.as.part.of.this.Framework.(Refer.to.Section.4.entitled.Youth.Homelessness.Strategy.Recommendations)
As.a.strategic.response.to.homelessness,.this.Framework.is.consistent.with.other.planning/consultation.processes.currently.underway ..These.include:
1. The.Community.Homelessness.Network.Inc .(Bathurst),.the.Fredericton.Community.Action.Group.on.Homelessness,.the.Greater.Moncton.Homelessness.Steering.Committee,.and.the.Greater.Saint.John.Homelessness.Steering.Committee
32 33 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
• NewBrunswickHousingCorporationHousingStrategy:.Proposes.a.comprehensive,.integrated.approach.to.address.housing.issues.in.New.Brunswick ..The.Homelessness.Framework.is.incorporated.in.the.Housing.Strategy ..We.cannot.alleviate.chronic.homelessness.without.linking.to.housing
• YouthAt-RiskProject:.Looking.at.designing.a.new.multidisciplinary.service.delivery.model.for.youth.at.risk.to.include:.protective.interventions.services.for.youth.aged.16-18,.an.income.supplement.program.that.reduces.barriers.to.eligibility.for.income.support.for.youth.at-risk;.and.a.youth.homelessness.strategy ..
• TransitiontoWork:.Consists.of.a.series.of.joint.initiatives.by.the.Departments.of.Social.Development,.and.Post-Secondary.Education,.Training.and.Labour ..These.initiatives.are.designed.to.provide.social.assistance.recipients.who.are.able.to.work.with.the.tools,.skills.and.benefits.they.need.to.leave.income.support.for.paid.employment,.and.to.retain.their.employment .
• FederalMentalHealthCommissionHomelessnessDemonstrationProjects:.Moncton.(and.its.surrounding.rural.communities).was.selected.has.a.site.for.this.five.year.national.initiative ..Homeless.people.who.suffer.from.mental.health.issues.will.be.provided.with.shelter.along.with.supports.to.assist.them.in.reintegrating.their.community ..
• TowardstheFuture:.AresponsetothereportfromtheNewBrunswickMentalHealthTaskForcewhereas.government.responds.to.the.McKee.Report .It.encompasses.the.next.phase.in.government’s.commitment.to.renew.New.Brunswick’s.Mental.Health.System .
• AReviewofFirstNationsChildWelfareinNewBrunswick:.The.office.of.the.Child.and.Youth.Advocate.performed.a.review.of.child.welfare.services.in.New.Brunswick.First.Nations.Communities
• WomenandGirlsAt-RiskSteeringCommittee:.A.partnership.between.the.Department.of.Public.Safety.and.the.Women’s.Issues.Branch.to.develop.a.Framework.to.improve.the.situation.of.women.and.girls.at-risk.in.the.province ..The.focus.is.on.prevention.(e g .public.education.and.awareness,.removal.of.systemic.barriers).and.improved.response.(e g .centered.case.management,.programs.and.service.delivery.based.on.promising.practices,.supporting.empowerment.and.healing/balanced.focused)
1.1 New Brunswick Leadership Group in the Homelessness Sector
On.February.16,.2009.the.Department.of.Social.Development.invited.shelter.and.service.providers.who.offer.services.to.people.who.are.homeless.or.at-risk.of.becoming.homeless.to.participate.in.a.consultation.process ..The.purpose.of.the.meeting.was.to.provide.a.venue.for.information.sharing,.receive.input.from.the.participants.on.the.provinces’.evolving.role.with.respect.to.homelessness.including.priority.areas,.objectives,.coordination.and.next.steps ..Participants.were.then.invited.to.become.members.of.the.New.Brunswick.Leadership.Group.in.the.Homelessness.Sector.(NBLGHS) .During.this.meeting,.Social.Development.recruited.volunteers.to.form.a.working.group.that.would.support.the.Department.in.the.development.of.a.Homelessness.Framework.for.New.Brunswick .Participants.were.informed.
34 35Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
of.Social.Development’s.intent.to.work.towards.a.collaborative.agreement.with.the.Federal.Government.for.the.delivery.of.the.Homelessness.Partnering.Strategy.(HPS) ..
Membership.on.the.New.Brunswick.Leadership.Group.in.the.Homelessness.Sector.was.expanded.to.include.representatives.from.all.levels.of.government.and.social.service.providers.who.provide.services.to.people.who.are.homeless.or.who.are.at-risk.of.becoming.homeless2. .The.group.will.be.meeting.annually.and.will.provide.the.New.Brunswick.Housing.Corporation.(NBHC).and.the.Department.of.Social.Development.with.information.and.advice.on.the.Homelessness.Sector ..
Objectives.of.the.NB.Leadership.Group.in.the.Homelessness.Sector.include:
•. identification.of.issues.and.proposing.of.solutions.to.address.homelessness.in.NB;
•. providing.a.support/network.to.each.other.and.government;..
•. helping.communities.to.identify.how.to.make.projects.more.sustainable;
•. identification.of.a.mechanism.to.gather.and.share.data.around.homelessness.in.NB;.and
•. sharing.of.best.practices .
On.February.2010,.a.second.meeting.of.the.NBLGHS.was.held ...The.Draft.Homelessness.Framework.was.presented.and.participants.were.able.to.provide.feedback ....At.this.meeting,.members.of.the.NBLGHS.gave.their.approval.of.the.Homelessness.Framework
1.2 Homelessness Framework Working Group
In.the.spring.of.2009,.the.Homelessness.Framework.Working.Group.was.tasked.with.the.development.of.a.Homelessness.Framework.for.the.province.that.is.responsive.to.the.needs.of.all.specific.populations.with.the.ultimate.purpose.to.end.chronic.homelessness.in.New.Brunswick.(Refer.to.the.chronic.homelessness.definition.on.page.36) ..The.multi-sectoral.nature.of.the.group,.which.included.representatives.from.non-profit.organizations.and.government.representatives,.was.instrumental.in.the.Framework’s.development3. .The.working.group.met.for.a.total.of.four.meetings.between.the.months.of.May.and.October
2. .Refer.to.Appendix.A.-.Membership.of.the.New.Brunswick.Leadership.Group.in.the... Homelessness.Sector3. .Refer.to.Appendix.B.-.Homelessness.Framework.Membership
34 35 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
2.0 Background
Across.Canada,.the.federal.government.has.taken.a.lead.responsibility.in.supporting.homeless.initiatives.through.the.Homelessness.Partnership.Strategy.(HPS),.which.is.an.extension.of.the.National.Homelessness.Initiative.(NHI) ..HPS.provides.funding.for.seven.components:.
1 . Designated Communities:.There.are.four.designated.communities.in.New.Brunswick.who.are.provided.with.funding.to.support.priorities.identified.through.a.community.planning.process,.these.are:.Bathurst,.Fredericton,.Moncton,.and.Saint.John ..Community.groups.have.to.match.HPS.funding.with.contribution.from.other.sources
2 . Outreach Communities:.This.funding.source.targets.rural.communities .Although.the.communities.are.not.required.to.match.funding.received,.they.are.encouraged.to.seek.contributions.from.other.sources
3 . Aboriginal Communities:..This.funding.is.available.to.address.homelessness.for.the.Aboriginal.off-reserve.population.which.is.to.support.an.integrated.service.delivery.system.that.is.culturally.appropriate.and.driven.by.the.community
4 . Federal Horizontal Pilot Projects:.This.component.of.HPS.works.with.other.federal.departments.and.agencies.to.explore.harmonization.with.other.federal.programs.and.policy.areas
5 . Homelessness Knowledge Development:..Research.funding.focus
6 . Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS): This.web-based.system.targets.social.service.providers.in.collecting.data.on.the.homeless.population
7 . Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative (SFRPHI):.This.is.a.partnership.with.Public.Works.and.Government.Services.Canada,.Human.Resources.and.Skills.Development.Canada.where.surplus.federal.properties.are.offered.to.various.community.members.(Human.Resources.and.Skills.Development.Canada,.2009)
HPS.favours.the.Housing.First.model.which.is.an.approach.endorsed.by.the.National.Alliance.to.End.Homelessness ..This.approach.to.ending.homelessness.centres.on.providing.homeless.people.with.housing.quickly.and.then.providing.services.as.needed ..Critical.elements.of.this.model.include:
1 . a.focus.on.helping.individuals.and.families.access.and.sustain.permanent.housing.(that.is.not.time-limited).as.quickly.as.possible;.and
2 . a.variety.of.services.delivered.primarily.following.a.housing.placement.to.promote.housing.stability.and.individual.well-being.(time-limited.or.long-term,.depending.upon.the.needs.of.the.individual.and/or.family)
The.provision.of.non-time-limited.housing.is.not.contingent.on.compliance.with.services .Instead,.participants.must.comply.with.a.standard.lease.agreement.and.are.provided.with.the.services.and.supports.that.are.necessary.to.help.them.do.so.successfully
36 37Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Under.the.Federal.Homelessness.Partnering.Strategy.(HPS),.New.Brunswick.organizations.are.allocated.$1,295,905.per.year.for.the.designated,.Aboriginal.and.outreach.communities .Each.of.the.four.designated.communities.has.established.a.Homelessness.Community.Group.comprised.of.non-profit.organizations,.community.members.and.representatives.from.all.three.levels.of.government ..The.groups.are.tasked.to.identify.and.take.action.on.solutions.to.address.homelessness.according.to.their.respective.community.plans .Support.for.these.groups.is.provided.by.the.Community.Development.Coordinators/Officers .These.four.Homelessness.Community.Groups.have.developed.Community.Plans.for.the.prevention.and.reduction.of.homelessness.in.their.respective.areas .The.plans.are.submitted.to.Service.Canada.for.approval.by.the.Department.of.Human.Resources.and.Skills.Development.Canada
2.1 Definitions and Categories of Homelessness
The.definitions.in.this.Framework.are.drawn.from.the.National.Homelessness.Initiative.(NHI,.2004).and.other.sources .These.definitions.are.recommended.because.they.encompass.various.forms.of.homelessness,.namely:
1 . “Absolute” homelessness.-.living.outdoors,.sleeping.on.the.street,.staying.in.emergency.shelters,.etc
2 . “Relative” or “Hidden” homelessness.-.moving.continuously.among.temporary.housing.arrangements.provided.by.friends,.family.or.strangers.(also.referred.to.as.“couch.surfing”)
3 . “At-risk of” homelessness.-.Individuals.or.families.who.are.at.imminent.risk.of.eviction.from.their.current.housing,.who.pay.too.high.a.proportion.of.their.income.for.housing.or.who.live.in.unacceptable.housing.or.housing.circumstances .At.risk.of.homelessness.also.includes.individuals.who.will.be.discharged.from.the.criminal.justice.system,.those.who.are.leaving.a.health.facility.after.an.extended.stay,.as.well.as.youth.exiting.the.child.welfare.system,.and.who.do.not.have.suitable.housing.in.place.prior.to.their.discharge4
4 . Chronic homelessness.-.a.person.or.family.is.considered.chronically.homeless.if.they.have.either.been.continuously.homeless.for.six.months.or.more,.or.have.had.a.least.two.episodes.of.homelessness.in.the.last.two.years ..In.order.to.be.considered.chronically.homeless,.a.person.must.have.been.sleeping.in.a.place.not.meant.for.human.habitation.(e g .living.on.the.streets).and/or.in.an.emergency.homeless.shelter5
2.2 Summary of Data Analysis - Profile of the Homeless Population in NB
The.first.New.Brunswick.Report.Card.on.Homelessness.was.released.in.July.2009 ..This.report.was.developed.by.the.four.designated.communities.and.for.this.reason.the.majority.of.the.information.is.specific.to.these.communities ..It.states.that.2,374.people.who.were.homeless..stayed.at.a.shelter.at.some.point.in.20086
4. Human.Resources.and.Skills.Development.Canada,.20075. Modified.from.The.Alberta.Secretariat.for.Action.on.Homelessness,.October.20086. Experiencing.Homelessness:.The.First.Report.Card.on.Homelessness.in.New.Brunswick,.2009
36 37 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
It.is.a.challenge.to.determine.the.number.of.youth.that.are.homeless.in.New.Brunswick,.since.youth.do.not.typically.access.services.that.are.geared.to.adults ..However,.both.Moncton.and.Saint.John.have.conducted.surveys.to.determine.the.number.of.youth.who.found.themselves.homeless ..During.the.month.of.September.2008,.youth.dropping.into.the.Youth.Quest.Drop-In.were.asked.to.fill.out.a.questionnaire.concerning.their.living.arrangement ..Out.of.the.41.youth.who.agreed.to.fill.out.the.questionnaire,.27.were.male.and.14.were.female ..Youth.were.between.the.ages.of.15.to.24 .Some.of.the.information.that.was.found.showed.that.two.had.no.place.to.stay,.four.were.staying.at.an.emergency.shelter,.14.were.staying.with.friends.and.14.were.in.rooming.houses7 .In.Saint.John,.45.youth.were.found.to.be.homeless.in.the.month.of.February.2007 .Of.which.23.were.females,.22.were.males.and.over.half.were.between.the.ages.of.17.and.198
Beyond the Street,.the.first.national.youth.homelessness.conference,.released.a.report.describing.the.situation.facing.homeless.youth.in.Canada.as.follows:..“The.vast.majority.of.homeless.youth.have.not.completed.high.school.which.limits.opportunities.to.secure.training.and.employment.as.well.as.accessible,.affordable.housing.and.suitable.housing ..Many.have.experienced.physical,.sexual.and/or.emotional.abuse,.violence.and.substance.abuse,.mental.illness.and.family.instability ”.(Beyond.the.Street.Final.Report,.2007.p .2) ..
The.issue.of.students.leaving.school.because.of.family.issues.seems.to.be.the.case.in.New.Brunswick.as.well,.with.72 2.percent.of.youth.between.grades.seven.and.twelve.who.dropped.out.of.school.reporting.doing.so.because.of.personal.problems.(e g .lack.of.interest.in.school,.failure.to.attend.classes,.pregnancy,.lack.of.child.care.and.family.problems).(Department.of.Education,.2008) ...
Youth.homelessness.is.an.issue.in.New.Brunswick.and.must.be.addressed.to.fulfil.the.vision.of.ending.chronic.homelessness.in.the.province .
Furthermore,.Aboriginal.communities.in.New.Brunswick.and.in.the.country.are.faced.with.a.multitude.of.complex.social.issues.both.for.First.Nation.people.living.on.reserve.and.those.off.reserve .
We.are.currently.limited.to.the.information.that.is.captured.on.HIFIS.by.the.shelter.providers.who.gather.information.on.people.who.are.accessing.the.homeless.shelters ...It.is.recognized.that.more.information.is.required.on.the.homelessness.population.in.New.Brunswick.(i e .sleeping.on.the.streets,.couch.surfing),.this.Framework.will.identity.what.steps.should.be.taken.to.address.this.short-fall ..
7. .Experiencing.Homelessness:.The.First.Report.Card.on.Homelessness.in.Greater.Moncton,.20088. .Youth.Homelessness.in.Saint.John,.Human.Development.Council,.March.2007
38 39Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Homelessness.does.not.discriminate.against.men,.women.or.youth ..The.causes.associated.with.homelessness.include.a.combination.of.structural.and.personal.factors.such.as:.
•. untreated.mental.illness.and.addiction.problems;
•. persons.with.unresolved.physical.disability.problems;
•. family.disputes/marital.breakdown;
•. lack.of.family.support;
•. lack.of.safe.and.affordable.housing;
•. low/inadequate.income.(working.poor/income.support);
•. between.jobs;
•. low.literacy.(functional.literacy.and.financial.literacy);
•. youth.leaving.care;
•. release.from.institutions.without.a.plan.(e g .hospital,.incarceration);.and
•. transient.population.(people.heading.through.town)
Although.various.responses.are.required.to.meet.the.long.term.needs.of.the.homeless.population,.the.typical.immediate.needs.of.people.who.are.without.shelter.include:
•. safe.and.affordable.temporary.housing;
•. food.and.clothing;
•. crisis.intervention.and.counselling;.and
•. referrals.to.community.and.government.supports/services/programs
There.is.a.need.for.additional.supportive/transitional.housing.in.New.Brunswick ..One.major.challenge.is.securing.funding.for.the.supports.to.assist.the.homeless.population.for.the.long.term .
There.are.different.types.of.homeless/emergency.shelters.that.exist.for.various.target.groups ..These.include:.Emergency.Shelters,.Transitional.Housing.Facilities.for.Youth,.transitional.housing.for.women.fleeing.violence.and.halfway.houses.for.those.coming.out.of.the.criminal.justice.system
38 39 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Chart 1 - Homeless Shelters
Government.recognizes.that.community.organizations.have.developed.informal.creative.resources.to.provide.supports.to.the.homeless.population.so.the.above.chart.is.not.to.be.considered.exhaustive
In.New.Brunswick,.transition.houses.for.women.with.or.without.children.fleeing.relationship.violence.are.defined.as.a.community.placement.residential.facility.that.is.designated.by.the.Minister.of.Social.Development.to.be.a.community.placement.resource.under.Section.24.of.the.Family Services Acts.and.provides.accommodations.for.thirty.days.or.less.and.support.services.to.abused.women.and.their.children9
9. Harvest.House.has.30.mats.(not.beds)
Emergency Shelters
Name Location TargetPopulation #ofBeds
Nazareth House Moncton Men, Women, Youth 30
Harvest House Moncton Men, Women, Youth 309
Coverdale Emergency Shelter Saint John Women 10
Salvation Army Booth Residential Services
Saint John Men 26
Fredericton Homeless Shelters Fredericton MenWomen (Grace House)
409
Miramichi Youth House Miramichi Youth (age 16-19) 1
Emergency Homeless Shelter Bathurst Men, Women, Youth 9
Salvation Army Miramichi Community Resource Centre
Miramichi Men 4
TotalEmergencyBeds:159
Transition House for YouthMiramichi Youth House Miramichi Youth (age 16-19) 6
First Steps Housing Inc. Saint John Pregnant and parent-ing women (age 16
-29)
8 rooms for mother and babies and 4 prenatal beds
Youth in Transition Moncton Youth 6 (3 for young men and 3 for
women)
Youth in Transition (Chrysalis House) Fredericton Young women (age 16 to 19)
8
TotalTransitionalHousingbeds:32designatedforyouth
40 41Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
There.are.13.Transition.Houses.for.women.fleeing.relationship.violence .In.2008-2009,.a.total.of.751.women.and.614.children.sought.refuge.in.transition.houses ..The.goals.of.transition.houses.are.to:
•. provide.shelter.and.crisis.intervention.for.women,.with.or.without.children,.who.are.victims.of.relationship.violence.and.abuse;.and.
•. inform.the.public.and.promote.the.awareness.of.the.mandate.and.objectives.of.Transition.Houses .
At.a.minimum,.transition.houses.must.provide:
•. temporary.lodging.for.up.to.30.days;
•. crisis.line.24.hours.a.day;.and
•. referrals.in.the.following.areas:.security/safety,.legal,.financial,.mental/physical.health,.housing.and.knowledge.on.violence10
Second.Stage.Housing.offers.longer-term.housing.and.support.services.to.women,.with.or.without.children,.up.to.one.year,.who.are.leaving.abusive.relationships .There.are.five.second.stage.houses.in.New.Brunswick
10. Standards.and.Procedures.for.Transition.Houses,.Department.of.Social.Development,.2008
40 41 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Chart 2 - Transition Houses and Second Stage Housing
2.3 Services Available to Support People who are Homeless
A.variety.of.services.and.programs.currently.exist.in.New.Brunswick.for.the.homeless.and.at-risk.population ..When.compiling.the.list,.the.Homelessness.Framework.Working.Group.noted.that.many.of.the.services.and.programs.listed.vary.from.one.region.to.another,.more.specifically.rural.versus.urban.regions
Transition Houses
Name LocationTargetPopulation
#ofBeds
Crossroads for Women Inc. Moncton 17
Maison Sérénité House Sainte-Anne de Kent 10
Fundy Region Transition House Inc. St. Stephen 15
Sussex Vale Transition House Sussex 9
Hestia House Saint John 24
Women in Transition Inc. Fredericton 19
Gignoo Transition House Fredericton 15
Sanctuary House Woodstock 10
L’Escale Madavic Inc. Edmundston 10
Maison Notre Dame Campbellton 9
Maison de Passage Home Inc. Bathurst 10
Miramichi Emergency Center for Women Miramichi 12
L’Accueil Sainte-Famille Inc. Tracadie-Sheila 10
Total number of beds: 170
Second Stage Housing (Managed by the Women’s Issues Branch)
Second Stage affiliated with Crossroads Moncton 6
Second Stage affiliated with Sérénité House
Sainte-Anne de Kent 3
Second Stage Safe Haven Inc. Saint John 14
Liberty Lane Fredericton 8
Second Stage affiliated with Gignoo Fredericton 3
Total number of beds: 34
42 43Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Non-Profit Sector and Community Resources
•. Emergency.Shelters.
•. Transition.Houses.(for.women,.with.or.without.children,.fleeing.relationship.violence)
•. First.Steps.Housing.Inc .(home.for.pregnant.and.parenting.teens)
•. Youth.Transitional.Housing.(Miramichi.and.Chrysalis.House)
•. Second.Stage.Housing.(for.women,.with.or.without.children,..looking.to.establish.a.life.free.of.family.violence)
•. Transitional.Housing.for.Mental.Health.Clients.(ARA)
•. Long.term.supportive.housing
•. Half-Way.Houses
•. Youth.Centres/Drop.in.Centres
•. CO-OP.Housing
•. Saint.John.Non-Profit.Housing
•. Portage.(Youth)
•. Group.Homes
•. Street.Outreach.Services
•. Public.Legal.Education.and.Information.Service.of.New.Brunswick
•. Community.Health.Clinic.(Fredericton)
•. City.Voucher.Campaign.(Fredericton-.panhandlers)
•. Salvation.Army
•. Elizabeth.Fry.Society
•. Salvus.Clinic
•. Food.Banks/Soup.Kitchens
•. Community.Kitchens
•. AIDS.NB.
. •....Fredericton,.Saint.John.and.Moncton.(counselling.and.needle.exchange)
. •....Bathurst.(counselling.only)
•. CHIMO
•. Volunteer.Centres
•. Find.my.Way./.Human.Development.Council.InfoLine
•. John.Howard.Society
42 43 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
•. YMCA.(Employment)
•. Reunited.families
•. Red.Cross
•. Peer.Group./Support.Group
•. Addictions.12.Step.Programs
•. Various.community.based.addictions.support.groups
•. Gambling.Anonymous,.Alcoholics.Anonymous,.Al-Anon,.Alateen
•. Bridges.of.Canada
•. Samaria.House
•. Church/Faith.Groups
•. Second.Hand.Clothing.Stores
•. Credit.Counselling
•. Salvation.Army
Provincial Government Department of Social Development
•. After.Hours.Emergency.Social.Services
•. Housing
. •....Rent.supplements.(private,.non-profit)
. •....Subsidized.Housing.(non-profit.housing)
•. Public.Housing
•. Income.Support.
. •....Social.Assistance
. •....Health.Card
. •....Case.Planning
. •....Employment.related.services
•. Child.Protection
. •....Group.Homes/Foster.Homes
Department of Health
•. Mental.Health.Services
44 45Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
. •....Community.Mental.Health.Center.(children,.adolescents.and.adult.services)
. •....Psychiatrist.Units
. •....Crisis.beds
. •....Mobile.Crisis.Units
. •....Tertiary.Services.(Centracare,.Restigouche.hospital,.CAPU)
•. Addiction.Services
. •....Outpatient.Services.(youth.and.adults)
. •....Detoxification.units
. •....Short-term.and.long.term.Rehabilitation
. •....Methadone.Maintenance.clinics
•. Primary.Health.Care.Networks
. •....Community.Health.Centres
. •....Health.Services.Centre
. •....Collaborative.Practices
•. After.hour.primary.health.care.services
•. Emergency.Rooms
•. After.Hours.Clinics
•. Telecare
•. My.Choice.is.My.Health
Department of Public Safety
•. Community.supervision-court.ordered.for.youth.(12-18.yrs .old).and.adults
•. Open.custody.facilities.for.youth.under.YCJA.–.in.partnership.with.SD.(available.in.all.regions.of.the.province)
•. Secure.custody.youth.facility-New.Brunswick.Youth.Center,.Miramichi
•. Five.Adult.Correctional.Facilities.(various.locations.in.the.province)
•. Mental.health.court.-.an.equal.arrangement.between.various.departments-.public.safety,.justice,.health.
•. Domestic.violence.court.Moncton.(3.year.pilot.project.in.Moncton).-an.equal.partnership.between.Public.Safety,.Health,.Justice .
•. Violence.prevention.for.men-all.regions.of.the.province
44 45 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
•. Emotions.management.for.women-all.regions.of.the.province
•. Sex.offender.interventions-.all.regions.of.the.province.
•. For.Youth:.Cognitive/Life.Skills,.Anger.Management,.Family.Counselling.(with.the.Intensive.Supervision.Program-.ISP).
•. Transitional.housing.for.youth.and.adults.(in.partnership.with.SD.and.other.organisations)
•. Employment.related.services.(in.partnership.with.DPETL)
•. Alternative.education.(in.partnership.with.Education)
•. DPS.(province).operate.Island.View.halfway.house.for.federal.parolees.here.(Fredericton)
•. Victim.related.services.including.arranging.for.counselling
Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and labour
•. Community.Adult.Learning.Network.(CALNet)
. •....Workplace.Essential.Skills.
. •....Community.Adult.Learning.Program
. •....Community.Adult.Learning.Program.GED.Preparation
•. Employment.Counselling
•. Training.and.Skills.Development.
•. Work.Ability
•. Employment.Services
. •....Employment.Assistance.Services.
. •....Training.and.Employment.Support.Services
Department of Justice and Office of the Attorney General
•. Mental.Health.Court.(Trial.Model.in.Saint.John)
•. Legal.Aid.New.Brunswick
Other Provincial Government Resources
•. Executive.Council.Office-.Women’s.Issues.(Branch)
•. Office.of.the.Public.Trustee
•. Office.of.the.Ombudsman.
•. Office.of.the.Child.and.Youth.Advocate
46 47Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Federal Government
•. Homelessness.Partnering.Strategy.
•. Mental.Health.Commission.of.Canada
•. Funds.available.for.Homelessness.Research
•. Services.for.Aboriginals.
Municipal Government
•. Police.Departments.
. •....Victims.Services.Unit
. •....Transportation.
. •....Refer.individuals.to.shelters
•. Public.Safety.Advisory.Committee.(Moncton)
2.4 Gaps and Issues Identified in Services, Programs and Resources
The.Homelessness.Framework.Working.Group.developed.a.list.of.gaps.and.issues.that.currently.exist.in.New.Brunswick ..These.include:
•. No.residential.services.for.women.with.addictions.and.their.children.
•. Accessing.services.such.as.income.support.is.difficult.for.people.who.are.homeless .
•. People.who.are.homeless.or.who.are.at-risk.of.becoming.homeless.are.not.always.aware.of.Social.Development’s.programs/services,.and.other.government.services
•. Lack.of.coordination.among.service.providers
•. Social.Development.services.cannot.be.delivered.as.drop-in/walk-in.services
•. There.is.a.need.for.government.to.offer.services.on.location.(i e .a.dedicated.intake.worker.attached.to.shelters)
•. Lack.of.understanding.of.medical.staff.who.send.a.homeless.person.to.a.shelter
•. There.is.a.need.for.enhanced.communication/partnership.between.non-profit.and.government.departments
•. Insufficient.or.non-existent.Second.Stage.Housing.(e g .insufficient.short-term.residential.resources.and.long-term.residential.services.for.women.suffering.from.addictions.(result.is.that.women.are.leaving.Detox.with.no.place.to.go)
46 47 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
•. Wait.Lists.are.too.long.for:
. •....Detox
. •....Mental.Health
. •....Housing
•. Forensic.inpatient.services.for.youth.(e g .court.ordered.psychiatric.assessments)
•. Insufficient.coordinated.case.planning.for.single.people
•. The.caseloads.of.government.Case.Managers.are.too.high
•. Confidentiality.legislation.limits.information.sharing
•. “Couch.surfing”.is.very.common.and.in.some.rural.communities.families.have.limited.access.to.services
•. No.services/policy.for.youth.between.the.ages.of.16-18.yrs .
•. The.need.for.sustainable.Outreach.Worker.funding
3.0 Homelessness Strategies and Concepts in Canada
Other.jurisdictions.across.Canada.are.establishing.strategies.and.new.approaches.to.address.homelessness.and.its.complex.issues ..Recently,.the.Alberta.government.created.a.Secretariat.for.Action.on.Homelessness.to.develop.and.lead.the.implementation.of.their.provincial.plan.to.end.homelessness.in.the.next.ten.years .Their.plan.seeks.to.address.the.need.for.additional.transitional.supportive/housing.rather.than.focusing.on.more.emergency.shelters ..The.Housing.First.model.is.the.foundation.of.their.strategy ..Collaboration.between.all.levels.of.government.and.social.service.agencies.is.seen.as.crucial.to.achieving.their.goal11 .
In.2004,.the.government.of.British.Columbia.created.the.Premier’s.Task.Force.on.Homelessness,.Mental.Illness.and.Addictions ..Its.mandate.is.to.develop.innovative.strategies.to.help.people.with.addictions.and.mental.health.issues.move.from.temporary.shelters.to.long-term,.stable.housing.where.their.needs.can.be.met ..Members.of.the.Task.Force.include:.the.Premier,.Ministers.responsible.for.Community.Services,.Employment.and.Income.Assistance,.Health,.Housing.and.Mayors.from.cities.across.the.province ..The.strategies.developed.by.the.Task.Force.are.now.implemented.through.the.Provincial.Homelessness.Initiative.currently.being.managed.by.BC.Housing ..BC.Housing.funds.developments.that.integrate.subsidized.housing.with.support.services.for.people.who.are.homeless.or.at-risk.of.becoming.homeless.for.various.target.populations.including:.people.with.mental.illness.and.physical.disabilities,.people.dealing.with.drug.and.alcohol.addictions,.Aboriginal.peoples.and.youth12 .
Manitoba.planned.a.Homelessness.Prevention.Summit.in.the.fall.of.2009 ..The.purpose.was.to.develop.a.long.term.strategy.to.prevent.homelessness ..The.plan.consisted.of.including.11. .The.Alberta.Secretariat.for.Action.on.Homelessness,.October.200812. .BC.Housing,.2007
48 49Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
stakeholders.from.all.levels.of.government,.the.community.and.business.sectors,.and.build.on.the.strong.foundation.of.housing,.outreach.and.supports.services.introduced.under.the.Homeless.Strategy ..They.site.research.showing.that.communities.can.be.more.effective.in.helping.homeless.people.by.better.coordination.of.funding.and.services,.changing.the.mix.of.assistance.and.focusing.on.prevention.activities13
Furthermore,.importance.needs.to.be.placed.on.the.“black.hole.theory.of.homelessness”.which.is.a.concept.being.promoted.by.Seaton.House,.a.men’s.shelter.in.Toronto ..It.describes.homelessness.has.having.three.stages ..The.first.being.whereas.an.individual.is.hit.with.a.sudden.crisis.(e g .loss.of.job.or.no.place.to.stay) ..These.individuals.come.to.a.shelter.for.only.a.short.time.because.of.having.a.higher.degree.of.motivation;.they.are.able.to.move.on ..Others.who.suddenly.experience.a.crisis.may.also.be.afflicted.with.addictions.and/or.other.mental.health.issues ..These.individuals.can.also.be.motivated.to.move.on.with.proper.supports.and.services.to.meet.their.individual.needs .The.third.group.of.individuals.is.considered.the.black.hole ..Some.have.been.on.the.streets.for.more.than.14.years.and.are.faced.with.extreme.social.issues.mostly.brought.on.by.severe.alcoholism.and.they.require.specialized.housing.programs.(The.Homelessness.Continuum:.A.Community.Plan.for.Hamilton,.October.2003)
As.mentioned.previously,.Quebec.and.Ontario.are.the.only.two.provinces.that.have.developed.collaborative.agreements.with.the.federal.government ..In.September.2008,.Quebec.released.their.Homelessness.Framework ..Their.goals.focus.on.improving.prevention.services;.taking.action.on.urgent.issues,.increased.interventions.and.community.reintegration,.and.increased.knowledge.on.the.issues.surrounding.homelessness
3.1 Youth Homelessness
The.vast.majority.of.research.on.youth.homelessness.in.Canada.is.based.on.samples.from.large.urban.settings,.which.poses.a.challenge.in.terms.of.generalizing.the.results .Furthermore,.the.cross-jurisdictional.research.identified.that.there.is.no.Canadian.province.or.territory.that.has.a.specific.strategy.to.address.youth.homelessness,.although.some.jurisdictions.do.have.strategies.to.address.homelessness.in.the.general.population ..That.being.said.Raising.the.Roof,.Canada’s.only.national.charity.dedicated.to.long.term.solutions.to.homelessness,.recently.published.a.document.that.provides.solutions.to.youth.homelessness.which.are.based.on.three.years.of.research.and.consultation.with.a.various.key.stakeholders.across.Canada ..Recommendations.in.this.research.focus.on.three.key.areas:
1 . prevention
2 . emergency.response
3 . transition.out.of.homelessness.(Raising.the.Roof,.2009)
13. .Manitoba.Family.Services.and.Housing,.2009
48 49 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
4.0 Youth Homelessness Strategy Recommendations
In.2006,.the.Department.of.Social.Development.convened.a.Youth.at.Risk.Service.Delivery.Model.Design.Team.that.was.tasked.to.create.a.Youth.Homelessness.Strategy .This.group.comprised.of.government.representatives.developed.the.following.recommendations.to.address.youth.homelessness.in.New.Brunswick:
a).provide.a.continuum.of.care/support.model.which.consists.of.the.provision.of.supports.to.access.shelter.and.housing,.with.a.goal.of.moving.toward.permanent.stable.housing.as.quickly.as.possible This.includes.offering.Kinship.Services.and.Foster.Placements.for.Youth.Protection.clients ..Both.of.these.residential.options.include.shelter.along.with.a.supportive.environment
b).provide.Youth.Protection.services.as.one.component.in.homelessness.prevention.services.for.youth.in.New.Brunswick.for.youth.between.the.ages.of.16.and.18.who.are.unable.to.reside.in.the.family.home.due.to.youth.protection.concerns,.thereby.reducing.the.likelihood.of.homelessness.for.youth.in.this.target.population.and/or.facilitating.their.exit.from.homelessness .Furthermore,.Youth.Protection.will.provide.an.additional.component.of.homelessness.prevention.via.Family Matters.services ..This.non-residential.service.will.be.offered.to.youth.who.are.living.in.the.family.home.and.experiencing.family.dysfunction.which,.if.unresolved,.may.result.in.homelessness .These.services.will.be.delivered.via.the.Youth.Services.program.under.the.management.of.the.Child.and.Youth.Services.Branch
c).develop.a.funding.formula.specific.to.the.youth.transitional.housing.facilities
These.three.recommendations.have.been.incorporated.in.the.goals.and.actions.developed.by.the.Homelessness.Framework.Working.Group
5.0 New Brunswick Homelessness Framework
5.1 Vision
New.Brunswick.is.a.province.where.chronic.homelessness.does.not.exist.because.people.who.are.homeless.or.who.are.at-risk.of.being.homeless.can.access.a.range.of.housing.options,.in.a.timely.manner,.to.meet.their.specific.needs.along.with.supports.and.services.that.are.equitable,.effective.and.delivered.in.a.respectful.and.compassionate.manner
5.2 Guiding Principles
•. This.Framework.recognizes.that.addressing.homelessness.is.the.shared.responsibility.of.all.levels.of.government.and.the.community.(community.includes.the.private,.non-profit.sectors.and.citizens)
•. The.success.of.the.Framework.will.require.the.recognition.of.the.complexity.of.challenges.that.exist.for.New.Brunswickers.who.are.homeless,.as.well.as.those.who.are.at.risk.of.becoming.homeless .
50 51Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
•. The.Framework.will.encourage.appropriate.levels.of.self-sufficiency.by.providing.supports.to.assist.clients.to.reach.and.maintain.their.full.potential,.while.recognizing.that.some.will.require.ongoing.supports.and.assistance
•. The.success.of.the.Framework.will.be.contingent.on.providing.a.continuum.of.housing.services.that.are.affordable,.supportive.and.adequately.resourced
5.3 Goals, Key Actions, Indicators and Outcomes
The.actions.under.each.of.the.five.goals.were.prioritized.and.colour.coded.by.the.working.group.Actions.that.are.consideredshort-term.action.items.are.in.red,.medium-term.actions.are.identified.in.blue,.and.long-term.actions.are.shown.in.green
The Solution to Homelessness is a Home
Goal1.–.Provide.a.continuum.of.housing.that.is.affordable,.supportive.and.adequately.resourced .The.continuum.of.shelter.and.housing.is.comprised.of:.emergency.shelters,.transitional.housing,.supportive.housing.environments.and.independent.affordable.housing ..
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
1) Determine a baseline on the number of individuals who are chronically homeless and at risk of being homeless and report and record subsequent years.
The number of individuals who are chronically homeless is recorded in HIFIS.
Client data on chronic homeless is recorded, analysed and reported.
2) The unmet needs and barriers of clients living in shelters are identified.
Unmet needs and barriers are properly identified for all clients living in a shelter.
Service providers have a better understanding of the needs and barriers of the population living in shelters because of active case management
Client’s case plans have been reviewed and actions are being taken to secure safe and affordable housing and supports required to meet their needs.
3) Ensure that housing needs are discussed in the development of case plans for all clients.
Case management is undertaken and recorded with specific housing reference.
Client’s case plans have been reviewed and actions are being taken to secure safe and affordable housing and supports required to meet their needs.
50 51 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
4) Develop a transparent model for the allocation of long term stable funding for emergency shelter providers.
A model is developed.
Shelter providers have an understanding of what funds are available and how they will be allocated.
Funding is provided to shelters in a consistent and predictable manner.
Shelter providers can offer the supports and services required to resolve chronic homelessness issues.
5) When allocating resources, give priority to programs and projects that support and promote quick access to housing including providing the necessary wrap around services in order for the individual to maintain their housing.
The majority of funded programs support the housing first concept which includes the appropriate supports services required.
Orientation of shelters programs and supports are coordinated for successful housing of the homeless.
Returns to chronic homeless have decreased.
The number of chronically homeless is decreased by 25% within a given year.
Clients are able to maintain their housing with proper supports.
6) Develop a funding formula for youth transitional housing facilities
A model is developed.
Youth transitional housing facility providers have an understanding of what funds are available and how they will be allocated.
Funding is provided to youth transitional housing facilities in a consistent and predictable manner.
Youth transitional housing facilities providers can offer the supports and services required to resolve chronic homelessness issues.
7) Have Kinship Services and foster care placements available for Youth Protection clients to provide shelter and a supportive environment.
Youth Protection clients have their shelter and supportive needs met by accessing kinship and/or foster care placements.
Fewer youth are homeless.
52 53Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Improved Coordination of Services
Goal.2-.Improve.coordination.of.services.across.government.departments.and.community.social.service.agencies
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
1) Connect with strategies being developed by other departments that encourage multiple government departments, community social service agencies and affected individuals to participate in integrated case planning.
An integrated case planning protocol is developed and presented for government and homelessness sector action.
Integrated case plan protocols are adopted and put into practice.
All clients have a holistic case plan.
2) Form partnerships between community social service agencies and government to offer services “in place”.
Partnership protocols are developed and submitted for government and homelessness sector action.
Services to the homeless population in shelters are provided in place.
3) Find innovative ways to provide the individualized supports and services that are required for the chronically homeless and at risk of being homeless to maintain their housing.
Service providers are informed on innovative ways to provide supports and services to the chronically homeless.
Flexible and innovative services for individuals who are homeless are in place and readily accepted as part of a case plan.
4) Provide Youth Protection services as one component in homelessness prevention services for youth 16 -18 yrs. old who are unable to reside in the family home due to youth protection concerns.
Youth Protection services are provided to youth between the ages of 16 -18 who are unable to reside at home due to youth protection concerns.
Fewer youth are homeless.
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
8) Establish a multidisciplinary working group comprised of representatives of provincial government departments and community social agencies mandated to provide recommendations aimed at addressing wait times for services relating to homelessness issues including mental health, addictions, and access to primary health care.
A working group is established.
Benchmarks are established.
Wait times are updated annually.
Client’s wait times for services are reduced.
52 53 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
5) Following the proclamation of rooming house legislation, ensure that programs and services are in a position to conform with and make the best use of new regulations.
Service providers are informed on the regulations and their impact.
Landlords, services providers and tenants are informed of their rights and responsibilities.
Landlords confirm to the new regulation.
6) Take steps to address duplications and/or inequities in service needs identified through research.
A document identifying duplica-tions and/or inequities in services is developed and made available to government and homelessness sector providers.
A plan to address duplications and/or inequities is developed.
Duplications and inequities in services no longer exist.
7) Establish an appropriate mechanism with the Community Non-Profit Organization Secretariat aimed at providing government departments and community social service agencies with the opportunity to educate each other on their mandates, strengths and needs on an ongoing basis.
Annual information sessions are held in each region between regional staff and local service providers to allow for the reciprocal sharing of information and needs.
Community social service agencies and government network and collectively work on future direction regionally.
Government and community social service agencies are informed of each other’s mandates, needs and actions are put in place.
8) Review and identify key existing issues and policies that contribute to homelessness and make recommendations regarding changes/improvements.
A document identifying existing issues and policies that contribute to homelessness is developed and made available to government and homelessness sector providers.
A plan to address issues and policies that contribute to homelessness is developed.
Issues and policies that contribute to homelessness no longer exist.
54 55Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Reliable Information for High Quality Decisions
Goal3-.Ensure.that.decisions.pertaining.to.the.allocation.of.human.and.financial.resources.in.the.provision.of.services.to.people.who.are.homeless.or.who.are.at-risk.of.becoming.homeless.are.based.on.reliable,.current.and.pertinent.information
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
1) Develop a client profile of the homeless population that is based on individual housing needs and required supports/services (e.g. long term care, mental health and addictions, disabilities).
Client profile is developed based on individual needs.
Service providers and stakeholders have a better understanding of the housing needs and supports required of clients who are chronically homeless.
2) Develop a client profile for clients waiting for subsidized housing that is based on need and barriers to housing.
A document that clearly identifies the needs of the clients is produced.
Government uses the client profile as a planning tool.
Clients, service providers and stakeholders have a better understanding of the housing needs and required supports.
Clients accept the housing plan that is developed.
3) Analyse service needs/gaps and appropriate service distribution by region.
A document that clearly identifies service profile (needs /gaps) is produced.
Government uses this document in the planning of resources and services allocations.
Better understanding of services (needs and gaps) available to the homeless population and service providers and stakeholders.
4) Conduct a gap analysis on youth homelessness and ensure that information on youth homelessness is captured.
A gap analysis document is produced.
Information in youth homelessness is captured.
Service providers and stakeholders have a better understanding of the gaps and information relating to youth homelessness.
5) Ensure shelter and service providers use HIFIS
HIFIS is consistently used throughout the province.
The HIFIS system is the backbone for the monitoring needs for the success of the Homelessness Framework.
54 55 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
6) Create a mechanism to ensure that wait lists for housing services in each region are accurately maintained, provide meaningful information and are kept up-to-date.
A mechanism will be automated in our housing system.
Wait lists are updated and reviewed on a yearly basis.
More accurate information on the number and types of clients on wait list.
Information is made available for use by stakeholders.
7) Collect information on mandate and capacity of support services available to people who are homeless or who are at-risk of becoming homeless throughout the province.
A provincial directory of support services that is web based and searchable is compiled.
Current information is made available to various stakeholders and service providers.
8) Research best practices around service delivery models and funding mechanisms used in NB and other jurisdictions.
A document is developed that outlines best practices around service delivery and funding mechanisms.
This document is used in the decision making process.
Decision makers and stakeholders are informed about best practices.
9) Collect information on available “housing” resources in each region including: emergency shelters, transitional housing, and subsidized housing.
A provincial directory of housing resources that is web based and searchable is compiled.
Decision makers and stakeholders are informed about housingresources.
10) Support the New Brunswick Leadership Group in the Homelessness Sector in identifying community needs.
The Homelessness Sector articulates its needs to Government through the Leadership Group.
Government is kept informed on regular basis of community needs with respect to homelessness.
56 57Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Increased Awareness
Goal4.–.Develop.a.communication.strategy.to.reduce.stigmas.around.homelessness.issues.including.mental.health.and.addictions.by.raising.awareness.within.government.and.throughout.the.community
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
1) Provide a section on homelessness when training government staff that provides services to the homelessness population in order to reduce the stigmas around homelessness issues.
Training modules will be developed and delivered (e.g. I Learn Modules).
Government staff has a basic understanding of the major issues around homelessness.
2) Develop messages, specifically targeted to landlords and the private sector, to raise awareness of homelessness issues.
Sector specific messages are developed and submitted to media and various publications relating to business.
Landlords and the private sector are more aware of the issues around homelessness and their clients.
3) Partner with organizations that raise the profile of issues surrounding homelessness (e.g. Addictions Awareness Week, National Housing Day, National Homelessness Month, and Mental Health Day).
A coordinated message around homeless issues is consistently included in related campaigns.
Stakeholders’ awareness of the issues around homelessness is increased.
4) Submit articles to professional publications for the medical community and other service providers aimed at raising awareness of homelessness issues and supports available to the homeless population (e.g. social work, judicial professionals).
Sector specific articles are developed and submitted.
Awareness of issues surrounding homelessness is increased.
5) Offer to provide presentations to the medical community, other service providers and post secondary students aimed at raising awareness of homelessness issues and supports available to the homeless population (e.g. social work, judicial professionals).
Sector specific presentations are developed and presented.
Awareness of issues surrounding homelessness is increased.
6) Add the Homelessness Framework to the Government website.
Framework is on the website and is easily accessible.
Awareness is increased by having access to the current Homelessness Framework.
56 57 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Outreach Services
Goal5-Secure.and.provide.Outreach.Services.to.engage.the.homeless.population;.assess.their.needs.and.support.them.to.access.services.(e g .housing,.income.support,.healthcare,.training.and.employment) .
Outreach.services.are.especially.important.to.youth.who.are.homeless.or.who.are.at.risk.of.being.homelessness.since.they.do.not.typically.access.services.that.are.geared.to.adults ...For.them.outreach.services.are.seen.has.an.effective.way.to.inform.them.of.governmental.and.community-based.resources.that.will.facilitate.their.exit.from.homelessness
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
1) Establish long term multi-level government/community support for operating funding.
Outreach services are funded. Outreach services are provided to the homelessness population.
Homeless population access services from government and community service providers..
2) Identify the current outreach services available in the province of NB.
Information on outreach services is captured and shared.
Decision makers and stakeholders are informed about outreach services.
3) Standardize the mandate, job descriptions and role of outreach workers across the province.
Mandates, job descriptions and roles are developed.
Consistency in delivery of outreach services and equitable client service across the province.
Actions IndicatorsofSuccess Outcomes
7) Promote volunteer opportunities within their community.
The Homelessness Sector makes volunteer opportunities known.
Community social service agencies see an increase in volunteer hours.
Volunteers increase within the Homelessness Sector.
58 59Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
6.0 Implementation
The.challenging.work.of.implementing.the.Homelessness.Framework.has.already.begun ..The.Department.of.Social.Development:
•. is.offering.funding.to.alleviate.Health.and.Safety.concerns.of.the.emergency.shelters ..Some.concerns.were.addressed.in.2009-2010.while.others.will.be.addressed.in.2010-2011
•. held.a.meeting.on.March.26,.2010.with.emergency.shelter.providers.to.start.the.development.of.provisional.funding .Funding.will.encompass.both.operational.and.programming.funding.to.end.chronic.homelessness.in.NB ..
•. will.target.rent.supplements.to.“house”.shelter.clients
However,.a.operational.plan.needs.to.be.developed.to.ensure.all.the.actions.foreseen.in.this.Framework.are.implemented.to.this.end ..The.Department.of.Social.Development.will.take.the.lead.in.developing.an.operational.plan.to.move.the.Homelessness.Framework.forward ..A.working.group.will.be.established.to.prepare.the.operational.plan ..Once.developed,.the.plan.will.be.presented.to.the.NB.Leadership.Group.in.the.Homelessness.Sector.for.their.consideration.and.feedback ..
The.Department.of.Social.Development.is.also.looking.at.ensuring.that.the.current.emergency.homeless.shelters.are.not.able.to.increase.their.number.of.beds.as.the.focus.is.to.be.placed.on.securing.longer.term.housing.options.with.required.supports .Refer.to.Appendix.C.for.Brian.Duplessis’.article.that.appeared.in.the.Daily.Gleaner.on.April.8,.2010.that.provides.an.amazing.example.of.a.success.story.of.a.long.term.shelter.client.receiving.appropriate.housing.to.meet.his.needs
Monitoring and Evaluation
7.1 Monitoring
Program.monitoring.focuses.on.measuring.and.assessing.important.aspects.of.a.program’s.activities.including.both.quantitative.and.qualitative.data ..HIFIS.is.seen.as.an.important.tool.for.gathering.information.on.the.homelessness.population.in.New.Brunswick ..This.information.could.also.be.linked.with.other.information.that.is.being.compiled.by.provincial.government.departments .Monitoring.will.focus.on:..accountability,.progress,.process,.reasons.for.any.unexpected.or.adverse.response;.and.budget.expenditures ..For.each.action,.indicator(s).of.success.were.identified.to.ensure.that.each.action.can.be.measured14
7.2 Evaluation
An.evaluation.plan.will.be.developed.to.concur.with.the.implementation.plan.to.measure.the.departments.performance.in.achieving.the.goals.and.actions.included.in.the.Homelessness.Framework
14. .Refer.to.Section.4 3.Goals,.Key.Actions.and.Indicators
58 59 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
8.0 References
Alliance.to.End.Homelessness .(2008) .Experiencing Homelessness Report Card on Ending Homelessness in Ottawa.
City.of.Hamilton.-Housing.and.Homelessness .(2003) .The Homelessness Continuum: A Community Plan for Hamilton.
Greater.Moncton.Homelessness.Steering.Committee .(2008) .Experiencing Homelessness The First Report Card on Homelessness in Greater Moncton.
Government.of.Canada .(2004) .National Homelessness Initiative Understanding Homelessness Retrieved.from.http://www homelessness gc ca/homelessness/index_e asp
Government.of.New.Brunswick .(2008) .Department.of.Education.Policy.and.Planning.Division .Educational Dropout Statistics September 30, 2006 to September 30, 2007 Retrieved.from..http://www gnb ca/0000/publications/polplan/Dropout2007-2008 pdf
Hamilton.Community.Services .(2009) .Hamilton Homelessness Bulletin
Human.Development.Council .(2007) .Youth Homelessness in Saint John Retrieved.from.http://sjhdc ca/pdf/2007/youth_homelessness pdf
Human.Resources.and.Social.Development.Canada .(2007) .Community Plan 2007-2009 Homelessness Partnering Strategy Reference Guide
Housing.Matters.BC .(2009) .Retrieved.from:.http://www.housingmattersbc.ca/strategy1.html
Manitoba.Family.Services.and.Housing .(2009) .All Aboard: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Homeless Prevention Summit. Retrieved.from: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/allaboard/summit.html
National.Alliance.to.End.Homelessness.Retrieved.from.http://www endhomelessness org/section/tools/housingfirst
New.Brunswick.Housing.Corporation .(2009) .Policy Framework and Housing Strategy
The.Alberta.Secretariat.for.Action.on.Homelessness .(2008) .A Plan for Alberta Ending Homelessness in 10 Years
The.Community.Homelessness.Network.Inc,.the.Fredericton.Community.Action.Group.on.Homelessness,.the.Greater.Moncton.Homelessness.Steering.Committee.and.the.Greater.Saint.John.Homelessness.Steering.Committee .(2009) .Experiencing Homelessness The First Report Card on Homelessness in New Brunswick
Santé.et.Services.sociaux .(2008) .L’itinérance au Québec Cadre de référence
60 61Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Office.of.the.Ombudsman.and.Child.Youth.Advocate .(2009) .A Review of First Nations Child Welfare in New Brunswick: Context & Opportunity.
Province.of.New.Brunswick .(2009) .Towards the Future A response to the report from the New Brunswick Mental Health Task Force
Raising.the.Roof .(2009) .Youth Homelessness in Canada: the Road to Solutions Retrieved.from.http://www raisingtheroof org/RoadtoSolutions_fullrept_english pdf
60 61 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Appendix A
New Brunswick Leadership Group Membership
Social services agencies:
•. Emergency.Shelter.Providers
•. Transition.Housing.Providers.(Youth)
•. Community.Development.Coordinators/Officers.who.support.the.Community.Planning.Homelessness.Groups
•. Bathurst.Youth.Center
•. Teen.Resource.Center
•. Representation.from.Transition.Houses
•. Service.Providers:
. •....John.Howard.Society
. •....Housing.Alternatives
. •....Human.Development.Council
Provincial Government:
•. Department.of.Health
•. Department.of.Education
•. Department.of.Public.Safety
•. Department.of.Social.Development
•. Department.of.Local.Government
Federal Government:
•. Service.Canada
Municipal Government
Aboriginal Representation
University Representation
62 63Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
Appendix B
Homelessness Working Group Membership
Barbara.Lemieux.(Co-chair),.Consultant,.Housing.and.Homelessness,.Social.Development
Louise.Michaud.(Co-Chair),.Policy.Analyst,.Policy.and.Federal.Provincial.Relations,.Social.Development
Fiona.Williams,.Community.Coordinator.in.Fredericton
Belinda.Allen,.Community.Development.Coordinator.in.Saint.John
Sue.Calhoun,.Community.Development.Officer.in.Moncton
Lise.Ouellette,.Executive.Director.of.the.Bathurst.Youth.Center
Brian.Duplessis,.Executive.Director.Fredericton.Homeless.Shelters
Lise-Anne.Renault,.Representative.from.Health.(Mental.Health.and.Addiction.Services)
Brenda.Malley,.Representative.from.Public.Safety
Yolande.Cyr-Sinstadt,.Regional.Director.for.the.Moncton.Region,.Social.Development
Social.Development.ad-hoc.members:
Blair.Gardiner,.Consultant,.Housing.and.Homelessness,.Social.Development
Rachel.Grant,.Consultant,.Community.and.Human.Resources.Development,.Social.Development
Robyn.Doyle,.Consultant,.Child.Welfare.and.Youth.Services,.Social.Development
62 63 New Brunswick Housing Corporation • Housing Strategy
Appendix C
FOCUS IS ON HELPING LONG-TERM CLIENTS AT SHELTER
Writen.by:.Brian.Duplessis,.Executive.Director.of.the.Fredericton.Homeless.Shelters
Daily Gleaner.Column.April.8,.2010
This.picture.of.an.empty.bed.which.was.published.in.the.recently.released.2nd.Report.Card.on.Homelessness.in.Fredericton.signifies.a.momentous.change.at.the.Fredericton.Men’s.Shelter .
Why.is.this.bed.so.important?.Because.the.man.who.occupied.it.had.been.a.client.at.the.shelter.for.most.of.the.past.19.years .He.arrived.in.the.fall.of.1990.and.except.for.a.year.in.a.group.home.in.the.mid-nineties.he.has.been.at.the.shelter.virtually.every.day.since .
He.spent.his.days.standing.alone.outside.of.the.men’s.shelter.or.inside.just.sitting.on.his.bed .His.diet.was.deplorable.since.he.appeared.to.be.afraid.of.the.crowds.in.the.community.kitchen .Although.in.years.gone.by.he.would.eat.regularly.at.the.kitchen,.that.had.deteriorated.to.perhaps.one.meal.every.few.days.and.the.rest.of.his.food.came.from.a.neighbourhood.convenience.store.plus.food.dropped.off.at.the.shelter.following.special.events
This.56.year.old.man.had.fallen.through.every.crack.in.the.system .Yes,.there.were.attempts.to.find.a.special.care.home.for.him.in.the.past.but.those.trying.to.find.solutions.were.not.able.to.find.a.suitable.placement.so.he.just.ended.up.staying.where.he.was .This.is.a.man.who.is.not.able.to.live.alone.but.is.very.easy.to.live.with.–.gentle,.appreciative.of.every.little.thing.that.is.done.for.him
During.the.past.year,.any.politician.or.government.official.who.visited.the.shelter.had.to.endure.the.fact.that.I.insisted.we.meet.around.this.gentlemen’s.bed,..not.in.an.office .No.one.left.without.feeling.this.had.to.change
A.team.with.representatives.from.mental.health,.adult.protection,.health.and.long-term.housing.worked.together.over.the.past.year.to.find.an.appropriate.solution.for.this.man’s.needs
In.February,.he.moved.into.a.special.care.home.where.he.has.been.lovingly.received.and.his.adaptation.has.been.remarkable ..I.visited.him.a.couple.weeks.ago.and.he’s.doing.marvelously .He’s.put.on.some.weight.and.has.been.welcomed.into.that.home.as.part.of.the.family
And.this.is.just.part.of.the.story.that.has.been.unfolding.with.regards.to.the.use.of.the.homeless.shelters.in.Fredericton .For.the.first.time.in.years.there.was.a.decrease.in.usage.of.the.shelters.in.2009
The.most.significant.indicator.in.the.recently.released.Report.Card.on.Homelessness.was.the.reduction.in.the.number.of.individual.men.and.women.who.stayed.at.the.local.shelters.
64Housing Strategy • New Brunswick Housing Corporation
–.at.the.Men’s.Shelter.there.were.294.in.2009.compared.to.338.in.2008,.at.Grace.House.for.Women.there.were.83.in.2009.compared.to.94.in.2009
We.are.seeing.the.impact.of.government.departments.and.social.agencies.working.together .And.if.we.throw.in.the.potential.positive.effects.of.the.changes.to.income.assistance.programs.then.we.should.see.further.progress.this.year
The.focus.in.2010.has.to.be.the.reduction.in.the.number.of.nights.that.beds.are.occupied.at.the.shelters .Although.the.number.of.individuals.was.down.more.than.ten.percent,.the.number.of.what.are.called.“bed.nights”.were.down.by.a.much.smaller.percentage
.That.is.because.a.number.of.individuals,.in.addition.to.the.19.year.client,.have.been.there.for.several.years.straight .If.just.five.of.these.male.clients.are.successfully.transitioned.to.affordable.housing,.supportive.apartments.or.special.care.homes.then.the.number.of.bed.nights.will.come.down.by.fifteen.percent .In.fact,.this.goal.is.not.only.achievable.but.may.be.reached.by.the.middle.of.this.year
It.would.be.wonderful.if.by.this.time.next.year.we.can.say.that.Fredericton.has.a.men’s.shelter.with.thirty.beds.instead.of.forty .And.who.knows,.perhaps.we.will.be.asking.if.we.really.need.a.thirty.bed.shelter.or.is.it.possible.to.reduce.the.number.even.further